IPL 2019: Debutants who could impress

Stellar shows at the IPL have helped little-known players to walk into the Indian team. Here are the debutants who could impress.

Photo: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The Mumbai all-rounder, who heaves the bat left-handed and bowls decent pace with his right arm, was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs. 5 crore. On the previous day, in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Baroda, the 25-year-old slammed five sixes off successive balls. He sure knows a thing or two about timing.

If you thought Dube had netted quite a sum for an uncapped player, you just need to recall how much Kings XI Punjab spent on the former architect from Chennai – Rs. 8.4 crore. The 27-year-old mystery spinner – he has seven variations up his sleeve -- made a mark at the TNPL for Madurai Panthers last year. Even his degree in architecture would not have been enough to plan what has happened since.

It will be a while before he gets his degree, but the wicket-keeping opener is already worth Rs. 4.8 crore, thanks to Kings XI Punjab. Last year he hit 298 off 302 balls in the Punjab under-23 tournament. The 18-year-old showed he could be as destructive at the senior level as well, cracking 54 off 20 balls for Punjab against Mumbai at the Syed Mushtaq Ali tourney last month.

Photo: Sudhakara Jain

Prabhsimran isn't the only cricketer from his extended family to get a surprise at the IPL auction. His cousin was picked up by Mumbai Indians for Rs. 80 lakhs. The 20-year-old from Punjab averages above 50 in both First Class and List A cricket. He has played only two seasons of Ranji Trophy, but already boasts scores of 267 and 252 not out.

The IPL has an ability to create young millionaires. Still, eyebrows were raised when Royal Challengers paid Rs. 1.5 crore for his services. The boy from Kolkata is just 16, after all. He doesn't give that impression though when he bowls his leg-spin. He showed maturity to take four for 20 for Bengal against Jammu & Kashmir on his List A debut last September.

Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

Nobody raised a paddle when his name was announced at the auction. That was a bit surprising after the seamer swung things in Kerala's way at the Ranji Trophy, with 44 wickets. Just when it seemed the 27-year-old would go unpicked for another season, he was signed by Knight Riders for Rs. 20 lakhs after injury to two of its pacers.

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The Mumbai all-rounder, who heaves the bat left-handed and bowls decent pace with his right arm, was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs. 5 crore. On the previous day, in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Baroda, the 25-year-old slammed five sixes off successive balls. He sure knows a thing or two about timing.