IPL had never missed being the greatest platform for uncapped players. Credits for the franchises too, who make the best use of the fresh talents. This time, the franchises have helped the culture to evolve further. We can even make a squad out of the uncapped players, which will be strong enough to compete with the greats in the business.
Team India has always paid more interest to batters even though the competition for the batting unit of India is high. As an added pressure for the selectors, the uncapped batters have made stunning performances.
Rahul Tripathi and Nitish Rana didn’t fail to be consistent and fruitful for their franchises; made impressive number of runs under pressure, but still waiting for the call for the blue jersey.
To name few others, Abishek Sharma, Yashashwi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and Rahul Tewatia had also etched their names with their match-winning knocks hither and thither.
Apart from these journeymen, a new set of batters came into this IPL season with greater cricketing heads over their shoulders. Let’s dwell to know about the fantastic fours.
Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar – works in the engine room of RCB batting order. He can bring down the international bowlers with a wide range of shot-making.
Patidar’s partnership with Virat Kohli against GT works as a testament to the quality of cricket lurking inside him. Moreover, his calm and composed attitude makes him look like an international batter.
With his high elbow practice, a not-so-tall batter gets on top of the ball. This Uber generation of batters differs from the previous with their ability to play the ball on the rise, and R Patidar proved to be one of the best among them.
A century in a most important Eliminator would have shown what he is capable of.
A genuine top-order batter produces more powerful shots and can tackle spinners effectively, creating a special expectation over him in the future.
Jitesh Sharma
The wicketkeeper-batter from Vidarbha is the best find of the Punjab-based franchise. The aggressive approach of Punjab is playing a vital role in Jitesh Sharma’s game in this IPL. On the whole, he has smashed 234 runs from ten innings at a strike rate of 163.63.
Jitesh is an out-and-out team player. Adapts to whatever situation he walks in. Comes in at the crucial stage of No.5 or 6, which is a home of pressure.
Especially after Liam Livingstone’s entry in Punjab, Jitesh’s batting order was pushed to no 6. And still, he has been able to be prolific every time he strolls out to bat.
A decent keeper has an advantage over other batters by ascertaining where the ball will pitch and how it will behave. Also, uses his feet well against the spinners.
Ayush Badoni
Ayush Badoni can be called a finisher. It is very rare for a debut batter to get this tag. But the Delhi-born batter had shown immense potential with his astonishing skillset.
It all started from the first game of LSG itself against GT. Walked in when his team was struggling with 29/4. Then, the debut batter provided a mind blowing partnership of 87 runs along with Deepak Hooda and pushed his team for a healthy score by scoring 54(46).
In his second match against CSK, it was again a heroic performance. Got in when 46 was required off 18 balls; the young Badoni sealed the game for LSG with the help of Evin Lewis by scoring a stunning 19 off 9 balls.
Above all, his winning knock against Delhi Capitals stands tall. 10runs needed off 5 balls when Badoni came into the crease. He finished it off in style with a four and a six without struggle.
A finisher role is the toughest thing to do, and it is always typecast for brutal power hitters. But Badoni has made a difference in this case. He can be shrewd, and at the same time, he can generate the power required to send the ball over the fence.
Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma is the second most run-scorer of the Mumbai Indians, this season. The Hyderabadi batter had been consistent throughout the tournament. The cricketing shots he possesses in his kitty are exactly from the book. It’s very rare to see a technically strong left-hander.
The 19-year-old batter depends more on running between the wickets. And it has fetched him a prolific season, scoring 397 in 14 matches with a strike rate of 131.02.
Left-handed batters have their formula with their different arc of bat swing. But Tilak Varma goes with the traditional batting style
And at the same time, he has also got those essential factors required to be a good T20 batter, with his effective stroke-making ability. Most importantly, Tilak is a left-hander who can play the off-spinners well.
An all-format player is how Rohit Sharma, the skipper of MI, has described him. This must have added more responsibilities to the shoulders of the young Tilak Varma.
