IPL 2019: 4 Indian debutants who could make a mark
Ever since its inception, the IPL has given India numerous talented young players. The latest one, Krunal Pandya, who is now a member of India's T20I squad and is winning matches for them already. Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan, Hardik Pandya, and Yuzvendra Chahal are a few others are other examples of stars who made the shift. This year too, franchises went all-out on raw talent and weren't shy to empty their purses on lesser-known names.
Let's have a quick look at the fresh faces who can make an impact this year in the IPL.
#4 - Shivam Dube - Royal Challengers Bangalore
He was roped in by RCB for 5 crores. Shivam, who hails from Mumbai is an all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. The problem with RCB is that they don't have a finisher who bats at 6 or 7. In the past, the team has tumbled as soon as Kohli and ABD got out. Shivam would be the perfect fit in the RCB lineup, someone who can contribute with the bowl, hit big sixes and stake claim for the finisher role in the team.
Shivam hogged the limelight when he hit Swapnil Singh for 5 sixes in 5 balls in Ranji Trophy and had previously accomplished the feat against Pravin Tambe in the Mumbai T20 league. He has been a revelation in the Mumbai Ranji Team this year. He was the second highest run-scorer for the team (632 runs in 8 matches), which was just 20 short of Siddhesh Lad's tally of 652 runs. With 23 wickets, he also became the leading wicket-taker for his side by some distance. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, he ran through Delhi's middle order and returned with figures of 3/29 helping his side lift the trophy.
Deemed to be the next Kapil Dev, Shivam would be a certain starter in the RCB lineup and would be exciting to watch. If he can impress the RCB captain, who knows he might get a call-up from the Indian cricket team as well.