10 Players to watch out for in Ranji Trophy 2015-2016

10 Players to watch out for in Ranji Trophy 2015-2016: This upcoming tournament doesn’t need an introduction. Coming October will mark the start of India’s biggest domestic season. Ranji Trophy has been Indian cricket’s pillar for ages. Once again the country will look forward to the current season with excitement. From rivalries to banter, this domestic competition has thrown up some historic scenes in the past and showcased talents that went on to compete in the international circuit. With India to play major tournaments in the coming time, experienced campaigners, as well as youngsters, will look to perform in the upcoming Ranji season 2015-16 and cement their berth for the national side. Here are the 10 Players to watch out for in Ranji Trophy 2015-2016: 1. Karun Nair: (Photo Source: Twitter) He is a part of the current Ranji Champion side. A team studded with the likes of Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey and K.L Rahul makes up for a solid batting line up. It is very easy to lose composure with so many big names around, but Nair made it count. A prolific run getter in the domestic circuit for the last couple of years, Nair scored 1724 at an average of 50.70 with a top score of 328 against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji finals. Karun’s stroke play and temperament has made him one of the most potential batsman in the domestic arena. He grabbed the attention of the national selector’s, and earned a national call-up against Sri Lanka within two cricketing seasons. Karun Nair would take the confidence that the selectors have shown, and would look to script a similar tale in the coming Ranji season. 2. Gautam Gambhir: (© Getty Images) He wears his heart on the sleeves. He doesn’t speak much and lets his bat do the talking. He has played a key role for India in the past. When Irfan leaped in the air after three match winning strikes, a silent Gambhir meant business. He scored a match-winning 75 off 54 balls and guided India to victory in the inaugural T20 world cup. Gauti was instrumental in India winning 2011 World Cup, having got off to good starts in the league stages, Gambhir batted with a mission. He pulled the short ones, drove the over pitched balls and cut the deliveries outside off-stump. He dived to reach his half century before losing his timber for 97. This team man has played some crucial knocks in the longer versions as well, including the marathon innings in New Zealand. Gambhir has led his IPL side with consistent innings. He will be captaining the seven times Ranji champions in the coming season. Apart from performing with the bat, the onus will be on Gambhir to groom the youngsters and guide them to the title. This Ranji season can lead to a final swansong for this talented left-hander. 3. Robin Uthappa: (Photo Source: AFP) He has been in sublime form for the last couple of years. He guided Kolkata Knight Riders with his bat in the IPL, and did the same in the recently concluded KPL. Uthappa failed to grab his chances against Zimbabwe. Speaking at an event in Bangalore, the 29-year old said, “T20 went pretty well, but, unfortunately, I couldn’t capitalise in ODIs. But I am working hard and I will keep doing my best and hopefully I will play for India again.” Uthappa will look to start fresh in the coming Ranji season and present his case to the selectors. He has been instrumental in Karnataka achieving a “double” in the domestic circuit. The cricketing world won’t be surprised if Robbie has another big season with the bat. 4. Sanju Samson: Sanju Samson RR. (Photo Source: BCCI) Kerala sees a “Sachin” in Sanju. Sanju Samson has made the cricketing world take notice of him. Samson, a wicket keeper batsman is known for his impressive technique. He has been in good form recently, scoring 73 and 90 against Bangladesh A. Samson, who has been prolific at Under-19 tournaments, also had a productive season with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014 amassing 339 runs at an average of 26.07 and a strike-rate of 124.17. Before that, he made 530 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2013-14 at 58.88. With MS Dhoni out of the scheme of things and Wriddhiman Saha still getting use to the red cherry at international level, one good season for Samson will open many doors for him in the time to come. 5. Parvez Rasool: (Photo Source: Associated Press) He came close to making his international debut in Zimbabwe two years ago but it didn’t happen. It took another one year to play for India. He has been part of two IPL teams, but a number of matches he has played so far are still in single digits. Such has been Parveez Rasool’s case. The journey so far hasn’t been easy for Rasool, who is the flag bearer for Jammu and Kashmir cricket team. With Harbhajan Singh making a come back, Rasool will be counting on the coming domestic season to present his case to the selectors. Having 100 wickets under his belt, Rasool will look to lead from the front and take his side to the next level. With the selectors still searching for an all rounder in the no.6 slot, he will count on his strengths to make the cut by performing in the upcoming Ranji Trophy. 6.Shreyas Iyer: Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: BCCI) The find of IPL 2015 justified the price tag of 2.6 crores. The turning point for Shreyas came during last Ranji season. The Green Park wicket at UP popped trouble for the batters with Mumbai reduced to 53/5. He scored a gritty 75 off 78 balls to get his team back on track. Iyer’s early cricketing struggle paved the path for a promising carrier, he faced rejection frequently in his junior cricket years. A stroke-filled 153 at Eden Gardens game made him believe that he belongs to the arena. He made sure the season belonged to him, Shreyas stroked his way to 980 runs at an average of 46.66 and a healthy strike rate of 74.24 last season. On back of that he opened the innings for Delhi Daredevils for almost the entire IPL season and solidity there got him an India A call. He would like to continue his good run in the upcoming Ranji Trophy with the bat and catch the attention of the selectors. 7. Irfan Pathan: The one man we would love to see perform in the upcoming domestic season is Irfan Pathan. This out-of-favour all-rounder has been battling injuries for long now. With a “minor” change in action, Pathan made an impressive comeback early in the 2014-15 season with a classy 98 to go with 3/70 in 29 overs. Irfan Pathan, who was bought by Chennai Super Kings in the 2015 auction for Rs 1.5 crores, was not available for selection for Super Kings’s due to fitness concern at the initial stage of the competition, and was seen in the dug out for the rest of the tournament. Irfan has played five first-class games since January; he scored one half-century and picked up 14 wickets for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy. He would like to bank on the current season to make a comeback into the national side. With 338 wickets so far in the domestic career, this man will be on a mission. 8. Yuvraj Singh: Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source: PTI) This southpaw is a proven match winner. The “Most Expensive Player” of IPL did his best to end Delhi’s losing streak in this year’s IPL. Last year he was in terrific form scoring tons of runs in the domestic circuit, but was ignored for the world cup 2015. Yuvraj’s exclusion didn’t go down well with many followers, having piled up many centuries on the trot. Apart from Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj’s presence will boost the Ranji side. He has been in decent form of late, and would look to carry on from where he had left.The Ranji season 2015-16 will play a decisive role towards Yuvraj’s entry in the national side. With T20 World Cup around the corner, don’t be surprised if this man guides India to another historic win. 9. Yuzvendra Chahal: Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: BCCI) He sports a spiked up funky hairstyle, carries a brisk, short run that culminates in a rapid rotation of the arms. He was a regular at the Mumbai Indians dug out, cheering and clapping for the men on the field. RCB played their cards well and with Virat Kohli backing the youngster, little could have gone wrong. Chahal, much like Amit Mishra likes to flight the ball up in the air, not afraid to take the risk of getting hit for a six or two. He finished this year’s IPL with 23 wickets at an average of 18 with an economy rate of 8.9. A former Chess player, he has represented the country at the age-group level in the sport before giving it up for cricket in his teens. The table has turned into a field while the board slipped on the 22 yards, Chahal is full of tricks and strategy. RCB has played a big role so far in shaping up the carrier of this youngster. “Vettori sir tells us not to think about the ball you’ve been hit for. Forget about it and concentrate on the next ball. That really helps in a T20 game. Virat always tells me not to worry about being hit for sixes. He backs me to bowl whatever I want to bowl and keep a big heart.” he said. This domestic season can turn out to be a blessing for Chahal, with India set to play major tournaments, Chahal may well spring some surprise in the spin department. 10. Pragyan Ojha: Pragyan Ojha. (© PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images) This spin discard has switched to Bengal for the upcoming Ranji season 2015-16. He has been in the news for his illegal bowling action lately. Ojha is back with a remodelled action, and he would look to set the record straight. He will look to get the same amount of turn and bounce with his new bowling action. He bowls slower through the air, and that might help him get some purchase from the Eden wicket. With 365 wickets to his name in domestic cricket, he will be vital in the Bengal set up. The upcoming season will be the right time for Ojha to prove a point to himself and place a bet in the Indian spin brigade.