IPL 2020: 5 Uncapped Indians to watch out for

The auction for the thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League was completed on 19 December at Kolkata. Since this mini-auction was mainly about filling the voids, not many players found a buyer. As many as 61 players were sold in the IPL auction with Rajasthan Royals recruiting the highest number of players – 11. The likes of Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell and Chris Morris seized a lot of limelight after attracting massive bids in this auction.

As known, the IPL is one of the biggest platforms for Indian youngsters to showcase their skills. SMAT and the state-leagues like TNPL & KPL offer opportunities before the players to impress the IPL franchises and get picked in the cash-rich league. The advantages of playing in the IPL do not need an introduction. A player is rewarded with a place in India’s T20 set-up if he performs consistently, and the IPL certainly helps the player to showcase his potential at the international level.

And, it’s not only about the players, but it’s also about the IPL teams as well. Investing in a potential young player helps the team eventually; Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, for example. Before the IPL auction, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy were held, in which some youngsters performed consistently. The likes of Yashaswi Jaiswal, Virat Singh, Priyam Garg and other got good bids in the auction, owing to good performances in the domestic cricket.

Here are the five uncapped Indian players who might set the stage on fire in the IPL:

1. Krishnappa Gowtham (KXIP)

Krishnappa Gowtham has been in the red-hot form in all the formats of India’s domestic circuit of late. Gowtham was traded to Kings XI Punjab from Rajasthan Royals for Ankit Rajpoot in the pre-auction trade window.  He was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for 6.2 crores in IPL 2018 and represented RR in two seasons. However, he failed to justify his price tag in both the seasons.

Albeit, IPL 2020 might be the breakthrough season for the bowling all-rounder. In a KPL game, he scored a century and an eight wicket-haul, an incredible feat. However, that game was not recognized as an official T20 game as the state-leagues are not given the T20 status.

Gowtham was the leading wicket-taker in the KPL 2019 as he snared 21 scalps in just eight matches. The 31-year-old defended 13 runs in the last over against Tamil Nadu in the SMAT 2019 Final and finished with the game with pretty good figures of 4-0-31-1.

The hard-hitting batsman from Karnataka was in the sublime touch in the Vijay Hazare Trophy while performing the tough task of the finisher. The right-hander is expected to assume the same role for the KL Rahul-led team and might be comfortable doing that. The off-spinner has an ample number of variations in his armoury, however, he did not use them well in the previous edition of the IPL. So, he would look to do better this time as an all-rounder, keeping the opportunities T20 World Cup 2020 in the view.