Indian Premier League has been a revolution. Ever since its inception in 2008, the league has helped Indian cricket unearth one domestic talent after another. The idea to incorporate up to four foreign stars in every team’s playing 11 certainly helps those who are new to the stage as there’s a gigantic difference between learning from local club cricketers and getting to share the dressing room with international legends in Chris Gayle, Shane Watson, AB Devilliers, etcetera. You get to learn. You get to grow at a rapid pace.
Young Indian cricketers are now more skilled than ever and with next year’s auction around the corner, SportsTime247 looks at three such Indian youngsters who made their debut this year and are expected to get huge bids in the upcoming IPL 2022 mega auction.
Venkatesh Iyer
IPL 2021’s first leg was a torrid one for KKR as they suffered 5 losses from seven games. But ever since Venkatesh was slotted into the playing eleven, the franchise’s fortunes have taken a positive turn. The left-handed batter has been terrifying as an opener and has scored 239 runs from 7 IPL matches thus far. Two match-winning fifties and an average of 39.83 have made sure that he’s now a household name. Plus there’s more.
‘Venky’ also bowls medium-pace as has 3 wickets @21.33 to show for it. Top-order all-rounders are a rare commodity and thus, don’t be surprised if multiple franchises compete against each other to secure the services of this 26-year old lad from Madhya Pradesh.
Umran Malik
Born and brought up in Jammu, Umran has impressed one and all with his express pace. The 21-year old consistently clocks around 150kmph and has considerable control over his line and length as well. Umran Malik’s fastest delivery came against Mumbai Indians and was clocked at 152.95kmph. It out-paces both Lockie Ferguson and Nortje’s fastest deliveries this season which read 152.75kmph and 151.71kmph respectively.
Umran came in as a replacement for Sunrisers Hyderabad’s T. Natrajan after the latter was tested positive for COVID-19. And he’s grabbed the opportunity so well that even Virat Kohli and the Indian management have acknowledged his rare talent, hiring him as one of our net bowlers for the upcoming T20 World Cup. That being said, it’s common sense that all the franchises will try to out-bid each other and sign this young prodigy in the IPL auction.
Chetan Sakariya
This left-arm pacer represents Saurashtra in domestic matches and considers Jaydev Unadkat his mentor. Chetan shot to fame after dismissing MS Dhoni in the first leg of this season’s IPL. One of the best-emerging talents in the country, Chetan has 14 IPL wickets to his name, that too for just 8.19 runs per over.
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Chetan’s cunning variations and bang-on-money yorkers have already earned him three international caps. With next year’s mega auction coming soon, it’s only gonna get better for Chetan Sakariya, who was paid 1.2cr by RR this season.
