IPL 2018: One player from each team who can earn a call up to the Indian team
The Indian Premier League was borne out of the idea to help budding Indian talent hone their skills by getting to play alongside the best names in world cricket. Since its inception, the IPL platform has been used not just by talented youngsters to catch the attention of the followers, but also by experienced out of flavour cricketers to show the national selectors what they are capable of.
Some notable names of cricketers who have risen through the ranks of the IPL include premier fast bowler Jasprit Burmah, hard-hitting all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. On the other hand, experienced campaigners like Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh have used their IPL performances to stage comebacks into the national team.
The present IPL season has crossed its halfway stage and the kind of performances at display have been eye-catching. Let us have a look at one player from each of the eight franchises who, on the back of his IPL 2018 performance, might manage to either earn a maiden international call-up or stage a comeback to represent India in national colours.
Chennai Super Kings: Ambati Rayudu
The first name that comes to mind when we think of impact performances by Indian players this IPL is that of Ambati Rayudu. The 32-year-old right handed batsman has proven to be their most beneficial acquisition this year as he leads the run scorers chart with 370 runs to his name.
Rayudu, who has been a regular IPL performer, earned a call to the Indian team in 2013, on strong performances for Mumbai Indians. In the 34 ODI's that he featured in, the middle order batsman scored 1055 runs at an average of 50.23 that included two centuries. In fact, him not being considered as a permanent member of the Indian limited overs squad had little to do with his form, which hardy dipped.
Now that he has reinvented himself by playing innings of substance both in the middle order and at the opener's slot, Rayudu has made a strong case for a return to international cricket.