IPL Auction 2018: 5 India U-19 cricketers to look out for

With the last few seasons throwing up exciting talents like Rahul Tripathi, Krunal Pandya and Manan Vohra, the teams will keep an eye out for the uncapped stars.

The India U-19 captain, in his nine Ranji Trophy matches so far, has scored five centuries and three fifties at 56.52.

The 2018 IPL auctions will see 578 players - among them 360 Indians - going under the hammer on January 27, 28 in Bengaluru.

Since its inception in 2008, IPL has proved to be a breeding ground for uncapped youngsters. With the last few seasons throwing up exciting talents like Rahul Tripathi (Rising Pune Supergiant), Krunal Pandya (Mumbai Indians) and Manan Vohra (Kings XI Punjab), the teams will keep an eye out for the uncapped stars.

The IPL governing council, this year, has capped the squad strength to 25 players - 18 have been retained by eight teams combined, leaving 182 slots for Saturday's auction. Suffice to say, the competition among players will be stiff.

And with Team India putting up a strong show in the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup, Sportstar takes a look at the five players from the Colts' squad who could stir a bidding war. 

Prithvi Shaw

At the age of 14, Shaw entered record books when he smashed 546 runs - the highest score by an Indian batsman in minor cricket - during a Harris Shield match in Mumbai. His innings was studded with 85 boundaries and five sixes.

In his debut Ranji Trophy game in 2017 - a semifinal clash against Tamil Nadu - he notched up a second innings hundred. The opener, in his nine Ranji Trophy matches so far, has scored five centuries and three fifties at 56.52.

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has been India's batting mainstay at the U-19 World Cup where he has scores of 63 and 90 against Australia and Zimbabwe respectively.

 

A right-handed batsman brimming with talent, Gill hails from Punjab and was even on the verge of breaking into the India A team.

Having already played two matches for his state side in the Ranji Trophy last year - where he has a hundred and fifty against his name - Gill along with captain Prithvi has been India's batting mainstay at the U-19 World Cup where he has scores of 63 and 90 against Australia and Zimbabwe respectively.

The No. 3 batsman, who was adjudged man-of-the-series, racked up 351 runs at home against England during the Youth ODIs. In the return leg, he once again topped the batting chart for India with 278 runs.

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

K.L. Nagarkoti has turned heads at this year's U-19 World Cup by clocking speeds in excess of 140 kmph at regular intervals.

 

K.L. Nagarkoti has turned heads at this year's U-19 World Cup by clocking speeds over 140 kmph at regular intervals. In the opening match against Australia, the 18-year-old claimed four wickets and along with fellow seamer Shivam Mavi, kept the opposition batsmen on their toes.

The Rajasthan quick continues to be an integral part of India's campaign.

Shivam Mavi

From three matches at the U-19 World Cup this year, Mavi has snapped up six wickets.

 

Shivam Mavi has not compromised on pace to get the ball to swing. From three matches at the U-19 World Cup this year, the Noida-based speedster has snapped up six wickets.

If picked at the auction, it will be another learning curve for the talented 19-year-old pacer.

Anukul Roy

The left-arm spin all-rounder has created ripples with his performances at the U-19 World Cup, especially with the ball.

 

The left-arm spin all-rounder has created ripples with his performances at the U-19 World Cup, especially with the ball.

Against Papua New Guinea, he claimed his maiden five-for and followed it up with another four-wicket haul against Zimbabwe.

Anukul is a live-wire on the field and can bat at any position according to the situation.