Internet Desk: The Indian Premier League (IPL) over the years have showcased talents who went on to make a successful international careers. The tagline of the cash rich league “where talent meets opportunity” is befitting.
The IPL is not only about the likes of Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni, it’s more about the players, who are looking to make their mark and boost their chances of drawing attention towards them. Here’s a look at the top 3 lesser-known players in IPL 2018.
1 Rinku Singh – 80 lakhs (Kolkata Knight Riders): This is a perfect story of rags to riches. The nine-member family of Rinku Singh lived in a tin-roofed home located within the storage complex of the LPG distribution company where his father works. One of Rinku’s brothers earned a living by riding an autorickshaw, while another works at a coaching institute.
Back in 2015, his family had a debt of Rs five lakh which they were struggling to pay. It was beyond the means of the money-earners in the family, and Rinku wasn’t academically good – “Ninth fail” he says. He knew his only chance lay in cricket.
The all-rounder saved up his meagre daily allowances which he received while representing Uttar Pradesh U19 side and other representation money from cricket. Everything went in repaying debt.
But things changed for the hard hitting batsman when he was roped in by Kings XI Punjab for a base price of INR 10 lakhs last season. There were a few eye brows raised when he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 80 lakhs.
2 Krishnappa Gowtham – 6.2 crore (Rajasthan Royals): This T20 specialist from Karnataka was brought by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping INR 6.2 crore. Gowtham, who played for Mumbai Indians in the last edition of IPL is capable of batting at any position. His T20 strike rate is an impressive 159.79.
The fact that as many as four franchisees were in the race to pick him in the auction with Royal Challengers Bangalore , Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians losing out to Royals. Gowtham was bought for Rs 2 crore by Mumbai Indians last season but didn’t play a single match. Eye brows were raised when he was bought for a price which was 31 times his base price of 20 lakhs.
3 Navdeep Saini – 3 crore (Royal Challengers Bangalore): The right arm medium pacer from Delhi caught the attention of everyone with his impressive show in the domestic season. This lanky pacer took 29 wickets in seven matches in the Ranji Trophy and bowled often with speeds around the 140 kph mark throughout the season. His domestic performance earned him a call up to be the net bowler in the recently concluded series against South Africa. Saini, who has idolised Mitchell Johnson was roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a price of INR 3 crore.
Navdeep’s journey to RCB has been very inspiring. He didn’t have any money to join an academy, before he was spotted by another Delhi bowler Sumit Narwal who drafted him in his academy. An impressive bowling in the nets against Gautam Gambhir saw him playing for Delhi not before he was let down by the apathetic DDCA administration
Last season he had been picked up by Delhi Daredevils for Rs 10 lakh, where he was guided by Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid. But he did not get a chance to bowl. One would hope that the talented bowler do justice for himself from whatever opportunity he gets in the cash rich league.