IPL 2017: Top 5 youngsters who have excelled in the league

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Internet Desk: The tenth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) has given rise to some young talents who many believe will be a star for the future. The youngsters have put up some stellar performance in the cash rich league to influence the cricket fraternity take a note of them. Leading the list is Rising Pune Supergiant off-spinner Washington Sundar who has been brilliant for Steve Smith’s side.

Here is the list of the top 5 Indian players who set IPL 10 ablaze:

Rahul Tripathi (14 innings, 391 runs @ 27.92, SR 146.44, HS 93, 2×50) –

The young batsman from Maharshtra has won praises from all corners including his skipper numerous times despite failing to perform in the all important final. The right handed Pune-bred batsman, Tripathi made a huge impact for Rising Pune Supergiant along with others like Ajinkya Rahane, Steven Smith, MS Dhoni and Ben Stokes.

In the final round at February’s player auction, the 26-year old Maharastrian was picked up for Pune’s third match, scoring 10 from No 4 against Delhi Daredevils.

While outscoring Rahane, Tripathi reeled off scores of 33, 31, 59, 45, 38, 37 and 93 once he was promoted to open. After David Warner, he was the most prolific batsman during the Powerplay overs with 290 runs off 184 balls. He became a huge influence on the team even though he failed in the play-offs, hurting RPS.

BASIL THAMPI (12 games, 11 wickets @ 38.54, SR 24.3, Econ 9.49)

The Malyali fast bowler turned out to be a head-turner for Gujarat Lions in a disappointing season as the team finished in the seventh place. The 23-year-old was bought for Rs 85 lakh. Sturdily built with an excellent yorker, Thampi often clocked in excess of 140kph. But for some better catching, he would have had more than 11 wickets to show for. Even though his economy was high (9.29), his skill was undeniable. His best haul of 3/29 came in the super-over loss to Mumbai, removing Pollard in the 17th over and Hardik Pandya and Harbhajan Singh during the 19th. Among his wickets were Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Manish Pandey though the abiding image of Thampi this IPL is six consecutive yorkers to Pollard during Gujarat’s first match with Mumbai.

NITISH RANA (12 innings, 333 runs @ 30.27, SR 126.13, HS 62*, 3×50)

This was Rana’s breakthrough IPL season, after four seasons on Mumbai Indians’ roster. For the eventual winners, the aggressive, left-handed batsman from Delhi started the league with a gripping sequence of scores with match-winning contributions against KKR, SRH, KXIP and Gujarat Lions in his first six innings. Those comprised three fifties and a 36-ball 45, all at a strike-rate of 157. Among these, his most overwhelming knock was an unconquered 62 off 34 balls to complete a chase of 199 in 15.3 overs, which consisted of seven sixes and not a single four. As abruptly as it had peaked, his form trailed off and Rana did not play the last league match or the play-offs. Rana was a player who made waves, but for his role in getting Mumbai off to their best starts in any IPL season.

MOHHAMED SIRAJ (6 games, 10 wickets @ 21.20, SR 13.8, Econ 9.21)

Siraj has 41 wickets to his name from nine matches in Ranji Trophy. In the IPL auction, the young bowler fetched a whopping 2.6 crore. He donned the jersey of the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The 23 year old had led the bowling attack for Hyderabad along with ace pacer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, with 10 wickets from six matches. This season Hyderabad’s bowling has been on-point yet again as their bowlers have taken them over the finish line quite a number of times.

Siraj has displayed skills only experienced bowlers show, playing alongside the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. With disparities in bowling and temperament to bowl in the death, Siraj has been a commendable find.

WASHINGTON SUNDAR (11 games, 8 wickets @23.12, SR 22.50, Econ 6.16)

The young player performed brilliantly in this season but failed to gather the winning runs for his side in the all important IPL finals.

The teenage sensation from Tamil Nadu first made headlines for his unusual name. The 17 year old off-spinner has sent down spell after spell of fine bowling. Soon, the headlines were all about his bowling.

Drafted into the Rising Pune Supergiant team as a replacement for the absent Ravichandran Ashwin, Sundar, took responsibility with guarantee, especially once Imran Tahir left. While he got just 8 wickets, his 3/16 against Mumbai Indians in the Qualifier 1 was convincing. Sundar bowled at an average of 23.12, an economy of 6.15 and economy of 22.50.