The IPL is a different test altogether, irrespective of a cricketer’s record in international cricket, particularly if he’s a first-timer in the competition. The coming edition, too, will be witnessing some players willing to make a mark intheir debut IPL season. The Telegraph lists a few of them.
■ Cameron Green (Mumbai Indians)
When CameronGreenhits, he makes sure it’s clean and big. The three-match T20I series against India last September witnessed many such strikes when he opened the batting for Australia.
Whether Mumbai Indians took the right decision in splashing Rs 17.50 crore on Green, who went on to become their costliest buy ever (and second-most expensive buy in IPL history), will be judged later. But the 23-year-old certainly provides them with another bowling option.
■ T20 report card: Mts 21 Runs 245 50s 2 HS 61 Avg 16.33 SR 137.64 Wkts 5 BB 2/16 Eco 9.04
Harry Brook (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
England’s success in Tests recently has a lot to do with this 24-year-old Yorkshire man, who averages 80.90 at a strike rate of 98.77 after six matches. Harry Brook’s numbers in limited-overs games may not be as impressive as they are inred-ball cricket, but his aggression in the middle order will make him a muchtalked-about batter inthe coming IPL.
The Sunrisers certainly made the right move in going all out for Brook and roping him for Rs 13.25 crore.
■ T20 report card: Mts 99 Runs 2432 50s 9 100s 1 HS 102 n.o. Avg 33.77 SR 148.38
■ Joe Root (Rajasthan Royals)
One of England’s best-ever batsmen in Tests and ODIs who is no longer considered for the shortest format. That’s one way of summing up Joe Root. In fact, Root had never registered earlier for the IPL auction butin order to prepare for the 50-over World Cup later this year, he did so and was picked up by Rajasthan Royals at his base price (Rs 1 crore).
■ T20 report card: Mts 88 Runs 2083 50s 13 HS 92 n.o. Avg 32.54 SR 126.70
■ Litton Das (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Litton Das had given India a real scare with his 40-ball 60 during last year’s T20 World Cup. It’s fair to say that his knock, although in a losing cause, worked a good deal in landing him a maiden IPL contract when the Kolkata Knight Riders bought him at his base price (Rs 50 lakh).
Litton Das of Bangladesh has been acquired by KKR.( Getty Images
Batting continues to be a problematic area once again for the Knight Riders, especially with their captain Shreyas Iyer uncertain for the tournament.
■ T20 report card: Mts 176 Runs 3916 50s 23 HS 78 n.o. Avg 23.87 SR 127.06
Sikandar Raza (Punjab Kings)
The Sialkot-born Sikandar Raza has evolved as a better player with age. It’s certainly an achievement to win a first-ever IPL contract at 36. The Zimbabwe all-rounder will be ready to take up the challenge.
T20 report card: Mts 172 Runs 3346 50s 20 HS 95 Avg 23.90 SR 131.94 Wkts 87 BB 4/8 Eco 7.40
Mukesh Kumar (Delhi Capitals)
Having beena part of Delhi Capitals in the previous edition of the IPL as a net bowler, Mukesh Kumar managed to secure an IPL contract when the franchise picked him up at Rs 5.5 crore. His consistent performances for Bengal and India A did impress the Capitals management.
■ T20 report card: Mts 23 Wkts 25 BB 3/12 Eco 7.20
Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar in the Delhi Capitals camp. Twitter
