Ever an effective launchpad for many a talented young cricketer, the IPL has made stars out of boys who stood the risk of remaining just obscure names. It’s not so much about the fame. Nor is it about money or a bit of both as it is about the passion and recognition one gets for demonstrating abilities in the premier T20 league franchise.
Thanks to the meteoric propulsion of the famous contest, today, an entire world’s media remains focused on covering the popular Indian T20 league. The focus isn’t merely restricted to Indian media alone. And that, undoubtedly, signifies the biggest gain for the IPL.
While established cricketers, who’ve led memorable stints in their respective careers seek in IPL, a way to give back to youngsters in the sport and stay connected to the game they so immensely love, the newbies seek in the contest- their calling. Cricket binds us in a manner few other sports can match and its briefest format spurs emotions and brings people together, regardless of age-gaps or cultural differences.
The feeling you get when you support your favourite team, sitting chirpily in the company of friends is a party in itself. At the same time, it is a great source of joy for curious parents who have nurtured great dreams for their young boys. This year too, a lot of youngsters will be appearing in the 11th edition of the hugely-successful Indian Premier League making their parents proud.
So who are these youngsters in the IPL? We bring you 5 Under-19 talents who will make their debut
Mujeeb Zadran
If you watched the recently concluded World Cup qualifiers, you would have seen the kind of trouble Afghanistan’s bowlers induced to teams like the West Indies, Scotland and Ireland. Truth be told, for a side having a superstar spinner in Rashid Khan, there were other talents who stuck their heads out in attempting to bring glory to their team. And it ought to be said, the youth managed it quite well.
Among them was a languidly walking, nimbly moving Mujeeb Zadran. It is quite baffling to think that at 16, Zadran has already risen as one of the dominant spinners in a side where there’s hardly any dearth of bowling talent. This time around, the teenager is all set to debut for the King’s XI Punjab.
Usually a batting-heavy side, Punjab will hopefully benefit from the international playing experience of Zadran, a classic leg spinner who’s also hard to score of.
ODI record:
| Matches | Wickets | Best bowling | Average | 4-for’s | 5-for’s | Economy |
| 15 | 35 | 5-50 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Our first recollection of Kamlesh Nagarkoti goes back to the Under-19 World Cup that was held this year in January. Nagarkoti with his lithe frame and great agility was bowling his heart out; hurling balls at splitting pace of around 140 k/hr. Despite not boasting of a bulky frame, Nagarkoti’s desire to come hard at batsmen- through pace- made him quite a grand highlight for India, the eventual winners in the tournament. Now, having been picked for the Kolkata Knight Riders, a traditionally balanced side, the Dinesh Karthik-led team is expected to attack opponents riding on the youthful exuberance of the 19-year-old.
List-A Record:
| Matches | Wickets | Best bowling | Average | 4-for’s | Economy |
| 8 | 9 | 3/30 | 27 | – | 4.9 |
Anukul Roy
Another promising youngster in IPL whose selection stems from having risen through the ranks. Even as Roy comes with an experience of having played only 4 List-A games, his handy all-round talent makes him the one to watch. A slow left arm orthodox bowler, Roy is a talent who can hold up runs quite well when the scoring rate inches northward. That said, not a great deal is known about Roy’s abilities with the bat but perhaps the IPL would offer a fitting instance of that. Owing to his all-round talent, Roy was picked by the Mumbai Indians in this year’s auction. That said, there will be no dearth of experience around him and the avid youngster will get the prized opportunity to learn from the likes of Pandya, Pollard, and Sharma.
Shubhman Gill
In simple words, among the best youngsters in IPL to watch out for, Gill is a fine talent. A dashing batsman and one of India Under-19’s main frontline strength, it ought to be said, a batsman like Gill will go a long way ahead. A natural at the crease, Gill has the rare talent of stitching useful partnerships, focusing hard and breaking free when the team needs it. Perhaps, this is the kind of experience that will serve the Kolkata Knight Riders this season. But whether Gill will be placed in the top order or not, is something which only time will reveal.
List A record:
| Matches | Runs | Highest score | Average | 100s | 50s | Strike Rate |
| 15 | 454 | 123* | 32 | 2 | – | 84 |
Prithvi Shaw
Arguably, the finest young Indian batsman around on the IPL circuit, and someone with a fine cricketing acumen, Shaw- a product of the Rahul Dravid school of batting and mentoring- is slated to do wonders in Indian cricket. But having said that, a fine litmus test of his rigour would be gauged from the IPL where the Under-19 World Cup winning captain’s temerity and talent will come in handy; both of whom he has demonstrated with quite some style. Interestingly, his scoring rate is pretty competitive, a natural fit for cricket’s briefest format. This will make him one of the best youngsters in IPL to watch.
List-A record:
| Matches | Runs | Highest score | Average | 100s | 50s | Strike Rate |
| 13 | 298 | 53 | 22 | – | 2 | 91 |