IPL 2019: Top 5 uncapped players to watch out for
The IPL was conceived with the notion to bring the biggest celebrities under one fatty, rich umbrella through a unique allotment process-auctioning. But, what the game witnessed was a proliferation of unknown domestic cricketers playing eye to eye with global legends. More than IPL flooding BCCI's financial pockets, it heralded a new revolution for the country's domestic cricket circuit, bringing to the light more prodigies than ever; somewhere easing the task of national selectors to find the true champions for the limited formats of the game.
IPL hence has been a unique story of unsung heroes, dark horses, overnight stars, and a magnanimous learning arena for youngsters. With fast cash being the click bait in addition to the ultimate dream of playing for the nation, IPL has contributed to bring up and nurture the next generation of cricketers, only toppled in significance by the Ranji Trophy.
Be it Manish Pandey's century that made him the first Indian batsman to get to the three figures in the tourney, the mystery spin of Kuldeep and Chahal, the meteoric rise of the immensely promisingSanju Samson, Kashmir's lone warrior Parvez Rasool, Krunal Pandya, KC Kariappa, Iqbal Abdullah, Paul Valthaty, DK's 2nd life, and even R Ashwin, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishab Pant, Naman Ojha; the list is never-ending. True, some have embellished the Indian team and some were one-two season wonders, but no doubt, never before domestic players have received exposure to such a degree. Yes, that includes the plethora of international A-team matches or similar. IPL has been the shortest route to success and the biggest learning platform for India's next generation of cricketing talents.
The auction process has also resonated with the rising prominence and quality of Indian cricketers, be it those playing for the country or under BCCI's scanner. What was once a common perception that fancy overseas cricketers would be the ones to lure away the major chunk of franchisee wealth, has been effectively broken since the past few auctions.
The celebrated decision to put uncapped players on the bidding table exemplified the scenario. Multiple scenes of team owners putting up their hands in a frenzy to bid for uncapped players and on the other while, putting on a stony silence for established overseas legends have been quite common. Uncapped, unknown players have gone for millions whereas renowned international guns have remained unsold after two, three election rounds.
The latest, biggest name to encounter this was none other than Brendon McCullum! Imagine a T20 tourney where the man who immortalized IPL's inauguration history with his legendary innings remains unsold. This is in stark contrast when an unknown Varun Chakraborty becoming one of the most expensive players in the IPL auction history. Never ever heard the name before, right? Yes, that's exactly the case.
Clearly, young blood, form, and promise to gunfire in all departments of the shortest format of the game had triumphed over name and glory. In a renaissance for Indian cricket, IPL has effectively transcended from being the largest mega star magnet to the biggest megastar maker in the cricketing universe.
Hence, that begs the question. Who will be the one, or the ones to watch out in the upcoming IPL 2019? Will Varun live up to his exorbitant price tag or will again one 20 lakh low profile gully genius become the next Indian heartthrob? Here's our compilation of some uncapped players to definitely watch out in the upcoming IPL.