5 Players who can make a comeback into the Indian team

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has come a long way since it’s inception in 2008. More often than not, it is touted as the mega platform for the youngsters to showcase their talents and knock on the door of selectors for a spot in the senior team but over the years, it has become the same stage where an out-of-contention player can earn his place back in the national squad. There is a long list of players who have done so which includes the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Karthik and Amit Mishra. After the conclusion of IPL 9, Zimbabwe will be hosting India for a tour comprising of 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Many of the first choice players who have been playing non-stop cricket throughout 2016 will be rested and players who have been consistent in the domestic tournaments and the IPL will be handed over a chance to stake their claim in the team. Here we are, with top 5 players who can stage a comeback into team India. 1. Robin Uthappa: Robin Uthappa. (Photo Source: BCCI) If anyone really deserves a chance, then Robin Uthappa is that man. He has scored heavily in the domestic circuit and the IPL for the past few years. The ongoing year has been the same. In the Ranji Trophy 2015-16, he scored 759 runs at an average of 58.70. In the subsequent Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy, he scored 205 runs at a healthy average of 41.00. Uthappa has been in-form in the ongoing IPL as well and has scored 383 runs in 14 matches. He is a stroke player and his batting is nothing short of elegant. His versatility adds to his cause. He is someone who can open the innings, bat in the middle-order or in the lower middle order at no.6 and can even keep wickets as well. Also read – India’s selection conundrum for the Zimbabwe tour 2. Gautam Gambhir: Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir. (Photo Source: Sandeep Mahankal/IANS) Gautam Gambhir’s last outing for India was a nightmare with scores of 0 and 3 against England in 2014. And he stayed of out of contention for the next year and a half. An average Ranji season where he scored 488 runs was followed by a poor Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign and another nightmarish Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign where he averaged just 22.87 and 12.00 respectively. Fast-forward to May 22, he has scored 473 runs in the IPL and his hunger for big runs is back. There has been a change in his technique which has done wonders for him. And he will surely be on the selectors’ mind when the team is picked. The erratic performances of Shikhar Dhawan will add to his cause. 3. Amit Mishra: Delhi Daredevils bowler Amit Mishra. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS) Amit Mishra has been on the sidelines since ages. He is still one of the best leggies around and despite this fact, he is not assured of a place in the Indian XI. Consistent performances by the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja has denied him opportunities and thus he remains one of the most under-rated players in the country. Mishra has been in good form in the IPL as he has 13 wickets to show for, in 14 appearances. With his sheer ability to flight and turn the ball, he could be a vital cog in the wheel for team India in the Test format too. 4. Ashok Dinda: Ashok Dinda of Rising Pune Supergiants. (Photo Source: IANS) Ashok Dinda is another domestic juggernaut who has been performing regularly for Bengal. He has represented India in 13 ODIs and 9 T20Is but had never been a regular due to his knack of leaking runs but this season he has been different. He has not only performed in the various domestic competitions but has also come good for his IPL side Rising Pune Supergiants, who had a dismal debut season. In the Ranji Trophy, Dinda picked 36 wickets at a stunning average of 22.70. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scalped 10 wickets in 5 matches at an economy of 4.85. And his best came in the IPL, where he swung the ball and bowled yorkers, and took 11 wickets at an economy of just 7.57, which is very good by T20 standards. 5. Yusuf Pathan: Yusuf Pathan. (Photo Source: BCCI) Yusuf Pathan, the monstrous big-hitter, is back in the limelight. He has shouldered the role of an aggressor-cum-anchor for his IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders. With 359 runs at a superb average of 89.50, he has been nothing short of phenomenal. The towering sixes, which propelled him to international glory in 2010, are back but with a sense of maturity. Yusuf can be included in the team to bat at no. 6 and be the finisher that India needs at the moment. And after all, we all want our version of the Russells and Gayles back.

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5 Players who can make a comeback into the Indian team

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