The Best Uncapped Players Of IPL 7
Jun 3, 2014, 11:23 IST
The seventh edition of the Indian Premier League produced several memorable moments engineered by uncapped Indian players across the eight franchises. From game-turning to tournament-winning, gocricket.com takes a look at the uncapped players who made a telling impact from their performances during the 2014 season.
Akshar Patel, Kings XI Punjab
17 matches, 62 runs, highest score 42*, 17 wickets, economy 6.13, best bowling 3/24
The Gujarat left-arm spinner, 20, impressed with his control and variation for KXIP right from the first game and went on to feature in all the games ahead of the much-experienced Murali Kartik, finishing with 17 wickets, one behind Sandeep Sharma and tied with Mitchell Johnson for the franchise. His economy rate of 6.13 was a tournament best among players with more than three games and even bettered that of Sunil Narine, which gave a sense of the hold he kept during the middle overs. His 42* against Delhi Daredevils took KXIP to victory in a tense chase which highlighted his all-round skills. He was later rewarded with a call-up to the national side for the ODI series in Bangladesh.
Manan Vohra, Kings XI Punjab
8 matches, 324 runs, strike rate 139.05, highest score 67
KXIP retained the uncapped Manan Vohra, showing faith in the Punjab batsman after he promised in his debut season in 2013. But Vohra wasn't part of the playing XI in the first half of the tournament as KXIP preferred Cheteshwar Pujara over him to partner the volatile Virender Sehwag. Pujara was replaced by Mandeep Singh, and it was only after Mandeep's failure that Vohra finally got his chance against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a game where he produced an eye-catching knock that included two sixes off Dale Steyn. He cemented his place after that and reserved his best for the last, as his 67 anchored KXIP in the IPL final. Vohra showed big-match temperament, but will have to improve on his running between wickets.
Sandeep Sharma, Kings XI Punjab
11 matches, 18 wickets, economy 8.81, best bowling 3/15
KXIP emerged the biggest contributor to the 'best uncapped players' list with Sandeep Sharma becoming the third entry from the team. Sandeep was the pick of the KXIP fast bowlers with 18 wickets from 11 games and made an impact immediately after he was drafted into the team. His opening spells proved pivotal as he swung the new ball to snare early wickets, twice dismissing Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli off successive balls. He wasn't as effective when the ball didn't swing, going for plenty in the final few games indicating inexperience. Still 20, Sandeep will become a better bowler by adding an extra yard of pace and with experience.
Yuzvendra Chahal, Royal Challengers Bangalore
14 matches, 12 wickets, economy 7.01, best figures 2/17
Karun Nair, Rajasthan Royals
11 matches, 330 runs, strike rate 142.24, highest score 73*
Rajasthan Royals have showed the propensity to unearth promising talent in the IPL, and this season was no different as Karnataka batsman Karun Nair made handy contributions opening the innings with Ajinkya Rahane. Two of Nair's major contributions came in games where other RR batsmen were found wanting, against RCB and Mumbai Indians. Against MI in the last league game, it was on the back of Nair and Sanju Samson's crucial partnership that helped RR post a big total.
Pravin Tambe, Rajasthan Royals
13 matches, 15 wickets, economy 7.26, best figures 4/20
Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai Indians
11 matches, 5 wickets, economy 7.58, best figures 2/22
Mumbai Indians direly missed the services of Lasith Malinga after he left to join Sri Lanka for the tour of England, but Gujarat pacer Jasprit Bumrah filled in admirably for his more illustrious teammate. Bumrah finished with just five wickets from 11 games, but he bowled plenty of overs in the Powerplay as well as in the death, and led the line in the absence of the injured Zaheer Khan first and Malinga later. His ability to fire in yorkers consistently with an unorthodox action meant he kept things quiet with a tournament economy of 7.58.
Manish Pandey, Kolkata Knight Riders
16 matches, 401 runs, strike rate 117.94, highest score 94
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Akshar Patel, Kings XI Punjab
17 matches, 62 runs, highest score 42*, 17 wickets, economy 6.13, best bowling 3/24
The Gujarat left-arm spinner, 20, impressed with his control and variation for KXIP right from the first game and went on to feature in all the games ahead of the much-experienced Murali Kartik, finishing with 17 wickets, one behind Sandeep Sharma and tied with Mitchell Johnson for the franchise. His economy rate of 6.13 was a tournament best among players with more than three games and even bettered that of Sunil Narine, which gave a sense of the hold he kept during the middle overs. His 42* against Delhi Daredevils took KXIP to victory in a tense chase which highlighted his all-round skills. He was later rewarded with a call-up to the national side for the ODI series in Bangladesh.
Manan Vohra, Kings XI Punjab
8 matches, 324 runs, strike rate 139.05, highest score 67
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Sandeep Sharma, Kings XI Punjab
11 matches, 18 wickets, economy 8.81, best bowling 3/15
KXIP emerged the biggest contributor to the 'best uncapped players' list with Sandeep Sharma becoming the third entry from the team. Sandeep was the pick of the KXIP fast bowlers with 18 wickets from 11 games and made an impact immediately after he was drafted into the team. His opening spells proved pivotal as he swung the new ball to snare early wickets, twice dismissing Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli off successive balls. He wasn't as effective when the ball didn't swing, going for plenty in the final few games indicating inexperience. Still 20, Sandeep will become a better bowler by adding an extra yard of pace and with experience.
Yuzvendra Chahal, Royal Challengers Bangalore
14 matches, 12 wickets, economy 7.01, best figures 2/17
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In a tournament that will be remembered for its legspinners, Yuzvendra Chahal was one of the standout exponents, proving to be the bright spot in a forgettable season for RCB. Chahal's exploits playing junior level chess for India were often spoken about, hinting at his ability as a thinking bowler. Chahal picked up 12 wickets and bowled with great accuracy, holding his own against some of the hardest hitters in the game. Karanveer Singh, the KXIP legspinner, warrants special mention as he picked up 11 wickets from just the five games he played, and even though he went for runs in the final, he ended up with four key wickets.Karun Nair, Rajasthan Royals
11 matches, 330 runs, strike rate 142.24, highest score 73*
Rajasthan Royals have showed the propensity to unearth promising talent in the IPL, and this season was no different as Karnataka batsman Karun Nair made handy contributions opening the innings with Ajinkya Rahane. Two of Nair's major contributions came in games where other RR batsmen were found wanting, against RCB and Mumbai Indians. Against MI in the last league game, it was on the back of Nair and Sanju Samson's crucial partnership that helped RR post a big total.
Pravin Tambe, Rajasthan Royals
13 matches, 15 wickets, economy 7.26, best figures 4/20
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After impressing in the 2013 Champions League, 42-year-old Tambe earned a first-class debut for Mumbai last season, before ending the season with an impressive IPL 7. The legspinner was difficult to put away as he finished the tournament with 15 wickets and took the first hat-trick of the season in a match-winning effort against Kolkata Knight Riders. He made the list just ahead of fellow legspinner Karn Sharma, who had an equally impressive season for Sunrisers Hyderabad, but played one game more for his 15 wickets.Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai Indians
11 matches, 5 wickets, economy 7.58, best figures 2/22
Mumbai Indians direly missed the services of Lasith Malinga after he left to join Sri Lanka for the tour of England, but Gujarat pacer Jasprit Bumrah filled in admirably for his more illustrious teammate. Bumrah finished with just five wickets from 11 games, but he bowled plenty of overs in the Powerplay as well as in the death, and led the line in the absence of the injured Zaheer Khan first and Malinga later. His ability to fire in yorkers consistently with an unorthodox action meant he kept things quiet with a tournament economy of 7.58.
Manish Pandey, Kolkata Knight Riders
16 matches, 401 runs, strike rate 117.94, highest score 94
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After arriving in the IPL with a century five years ago, Manish Pandey's contributions largely went unnoticed in between. This season, however, Pandey benefited from being a consistent member of the side and the clarity of being KKR's No 3 batsman. He made handy contributions throughout the tournament but brought out his best in the final. His game-changing 94 in a chase of 200 took KKR to their second IPL title and earned him a Man-of-the-Match award.For the latest cricket news, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Download our app for Android and iOS.