IPL 2020 - Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi head line-up of exciting uncapped Indian bowlers
Here's a look at seven young Indian bowlers who could make a mark at the 2020 edition of the IPL
Varun Shetty and Sidharth Monga
08-Sep-2020
Ravi Bishnoi was at the batsmen constantly during the 2020 Under-19 World Cup • ICC via Getty
Each edition of the IPL provides a chance to watch some of the lesser known Indian cricketers go up against a class of player they haven't encountered in their brief careers so far. This list of uncapped Indian bowlers is a very exciting one, with proven campaigners at the domestic level and a smattering of Under-19 stars from the recent past.
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Team: Kings XI Punjab
Why we're excited
Bishnoi is at the batsman all time with his legspin, relentless with his intent to attack and suffocating to face. The 20-year-old was the highest wicket-taker at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup and is among the brightest wristspinning prospects in the Indian domestic circuit. He will be working with Anil Kumble, whose bowling he seems to have been inspired by.
Bishnoi is at the batsman all time with his legspin, relentless with his intent to attack and suffocating to face. The 20-year-old was the highest wicket-taker at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup and is among the brightest wristspinning prospects in the Indian domestic circuit. He will be working with Anil Kumble, whose bowling he seems to have been inspired by.
How will he fit it into the XI?
The Kings XI have invested a decent amount in signing Bishnoi, and he will likely be used in rotation with M Ashwin, the only other frontline wristspinner in the squad.
The Kings XI have invested a decent amount in signing Bishnoi, and he will likely be used in rotation with M Ashwin, the only other frontline wristspinner in the squad.
Team: Kings XI Punjab
Why we're excited
Porel has incrementally become one of India's most promising fast bowling prospects over the last few years and is coming off a career-high domestic season, even if it ended in March. He has worked relentlessly to go from "medium-fast to fast" and looked unplayable by the end of the last Ranji Trophy season.
Porel has incrementally become one of India's most promising fast bowling prospects over the last few years and is coming off a career-high domestic season, even if it ended in March. He has worked relentlessly to go from "medium-fast to fast" and looked unplayable by the end of the last Ranji Trophy season.
How will he fit it into the XI?
It would be hard to explain if Porel is not his team's automatic domestic fast-bowling choice to pair with Mohammed Shami.
It would be hard to explain if Porel is not his team's automatic domestic fast-bowling choice to pair with Mohammed Shami.
Team: Kolkata Knight Riders
Why we're excited
The fast bowler had everyone's attention after a rollicking U-19 World Cup in 2018, but it has been frustratingly stop-start since as he battled injuries. But Mavi said he is back to full rhythm and is ready to make up for lost time.
The fast bowler had everyone's attention after a rollicking U-19 World Cup in 2018, but it has been frustratingly stop-start since as he battled injuries. But Mavi said he is back to full rhythm and is ready to make up for lost time.
How will he fit it into the XI?
A tournament in the UAE might not be the ideal place for a bowler of Mavi's strengths - pace, swing, and bounce - to make a full-fledged comeback. But the Knight Riders could use him as a rotational option, given how important workload management can be over a 53-day long tournament.
A tournament in the UAE might not be the ideal place for a bowler of Mavi's strengths - pace, swing, and bounce - to make a full-fledged comeback. But the Knight Riders could use him as a rotational option, given how important workload management can be over a 53-day long tournament.
Team: Rajasthan Royals
Why we're excited
He's fast, accurate, and swings it both ways. Tyagi also has a mean yorker and is already considered as one of the best among India's upcoming generation of fast bowlers. He hasn't played at the senior level since 2018 because of injuries but led India's bowling attack with success at the last U-19 World Cup.
He's fast, accurate, and swings it both ways. Tyagi also has a mean yorker and is already considered as one of the best among India's upcoming generation of fast bowlers. He hasn't played at the senior level since 2018 because of injuries but led India's bowling attack with success at the last U-19 World Cup.
How will he fit it into the XI?
Kartik brings variety to a four-man domestic fast bowling line-up that will compete for two or three starting XI spots. He is the junior-most in that group, but Royals are invested in their youth and could try and ease him in, perhaps alongside Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat and Ben Stokes.
Kartik brings variety to a four-man domestic fast bowling line-up that will compete for two or three starting XI spots. He is the junior-most in that group, but Royals are invested in their youth and could try and ease him in, perhaps alongside Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat and Ben Stokes.
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Why we're excited
In a sparkling season for Bengal, Ahmed became their go-to man with ball, and even with bat at times. That they made the knockouts, leave alone the Ranji final, was the result of the left-hander's ability to tone down an otherwise boisterous batting approach; but if he wasn't doing it with bat, he was doing it with ball: he took 35 wickets, their joint-highest. He not only ran through teams with his left-arm spin but also played a crucial supporting role to their fast bowlers when needed. A complete package.
In a sparkling season for Bengal, Ahmed became their go-to man with ball, and even with bat at times. That they made the knockouts, leave alone the Ranji final, was the result of the left-hander's ability to tone down an otherwise boisterous batting approach; but if he wasn't doing it with bat, he was doing it with ball: he took 35 wickets, their joint-highest. He not only ran through teams with his left-arm spin but also played a crucial supporting role to their fast bowlers when needed. A complete package.
How will he fit it into the XI?
In the UAE, we see Ahmed rising above Pawan Negi in the pecking order for the Royal Challengers and playing in any combination that involves three spinners.
In the UAE, we see Ahmed rising above Pawan Negi in the pecking order for the Royal Challengers and playing in any combination that involves three spinners.
Team: Chennai Super Kings
Why we're excited
Sai Kishore is the quintessential Super Kings spinner: he can bowl in the powerplay, he has got no gimmicks about his orthodox left-arm spin, and he is economical. He took 20 wickets at an economy of 4.63 for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, far and away the best last season.
Sai Kishore is the quintessential Super Kings spinner: he can bowl in the powerplay, he has got no gimmicks about his orthodox left-arm spin, and he is economical. He took 20 wickets at an economy of 4.63 for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, far and away the best last season.
How will he fit it into the XI?
It is fair to assume, especially in the absence of Harbhajan Singh, that Sai Kishore will have a more involved role for the Super Kings now. Particularly against teams that are likely to have a fair number of right-handers in the early overs.
It is fair to assume, especially in the absence of Harbhajan Singh, that Sai Kishore will have a more involved role for the Super Kings now. Particularly against teams that are likely to have a fair number of right-handers in the early overs.
Team: Kolkata Knight Riders
Why we're excited
We have been excited about him since the 2018 U-19 World Cup but injuries have unfortunately denied him any senior T20 cricket. His captain Dinesh Karthik feels the youngster has dealt with them bravely, is still bowling "150 clicks" and is "on par with Ravindra Jadeja" in the field.
We have been excited about him since the 2018 U-19 World Cup but injuries have unfortunately denied him any senior T20 cricket. His captain Dinesh Karthik feels the youngster has dealt with them bravely, is still bowling "150 clicks" and is "on par with Ravindra Jadeja" in the field.
How will he fit it into the XI?
He is junior-most among the Knight Riders' young Indian fast bowlers, but the franchise rates him highly. Karthik believes he should focus on shorter formats and focus on his explosive pace. Those are enough indicators the team might be ready to unleash him this year.
He is junior-most among the Knight Riders' young Indian fast bowlers, but the franchise rates him highly. Karthik believes he should focus on shorter formats and focus on his explosive pace. Those are enough indicators the team might be ready to unleash him this year.