Meet the future stars from India's state T20 leagues

It may be the off-season as far as BCCI tournaments go, but several state associations have made the most of the window by hosting their own T20 leagues. These competitions have become crucial platforms for fringe players, domestic regulars, and emerging talent to catch the eye of IPL scouts and state selectors. Here's a look at some of the standout performers from six different leagues across the country.

Tushar Raheja - TNPL
A dashing opener who can also keep wicket, Tushar Raheja has been the top run-getter across the past two TNPL seasons. From being a pace-hitter in the powerplay, Raheja has evolved into a more rounded batter. His game against spin has particularly evolved this season; his manner of taking down Varun Chakravarthy and R Ashwin in the competition is ample proof.

Raheja may have deflected a question on his IPL prospects cheekily after leading Tiruppur Tamizhans to the title - he also topped the run charts with 488 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 185.55 - but he might not be too far away from breaking into the league.

Akshat Raghuwanshi - Madhya Pradesh Premier League
"At 21, I haven't seen a more talented player. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Big things are waiting for him in the future." That's state senior Venkatesh Iyer on top-order batter Raghuwanshi, who was the standout batter in the tournament even though he didn't top the run charts.

Scouts and coaches believe he could be the next Priyansh Arya-like IPL star. Raghuwanshi had everyone sit up and take notice of him when he smacked 105 off 45 balls against Bhopal Leopards. He hit 239 runs in four innings, striking at 177. Since being part of MP's Ranji Trophy-winning campaign in 2022, Raghuwanshi's career has hit a rough patch. But his recent white-ball performances provide hope for a brighter future.

Krains Fuletra - Saurashtra Pro T20
Left-arm wristspinners are a rare breed, and at just 21, Fuletra's combination of skill and temperament has got people in Saurashtra excited. First spotted by Jaydev Unadkat and brought in as a net bowler in Rajkot, Fuletra was fast-tracked into the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad during the 2024-25 season, and debuted against Karnataka. He was later part of Sunrisers Hyderabad as a net bowler at IPL 2025.

More recently, he picked up 10 wickets in nine matches for Anmol Kings Halar in the Saurashtra Pro T20 League, where he earned the Emerging Player award. From being on the fringes of the state set-up just over a year ago, Fuletra has already broken into Saurashtra's Under-23 squad. A call-up to the senior team across formats appears to be a matter of when, not if.

Sairaj Patil - T20 Mumbai League
A middle-order power-hitter who can also bowl seam-ups, Sairaj Patil's all-round efforts culminated in him winning the Player-of-the-Tournament award from Rohit Sharma. Patil, 28, hit a chart-topping 16 sixes in six innings and picked up seven wickets in 15.3 overs in Eagle Thane Strikers' run to the semi-finals.

Indian allrounders who can strike big and also bowl are still rare, so Patil has a good chance of being picked in the IPL. He also has the experience of having played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai.

Atit Sheth - Baroda Premier League
Former India Under-19 star from the batch that produced Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson, Atit Sheth was a one-man wrecking crew in the inaugural Baroda Premier League, winning both the Orange and Purple caps.

He has been a key player for Baroda in Ranji Trophy for close to a decade, but has never been picked in the IPL so far. Often deployed in the top order, Sheth delivered boundaries with the bat and breakthroughs with the ball in the Baroda Premier League. He can also float down the order, which may pique the interest of IPL franchises.

Adil Ayub Tunda - Pondicherry Premier League
Standing at 6'5", Adil Ayub Tunda is an imposing presence with the ability to generate steep bounce - a trait that sets him apart. In the death overs, his arsenal of wide yorkers and clever variations has earned praise from coaches and scouts alike.

Born and raised in Jammu & Kashmir, Tunda has recently moved south in pursuit of greater opportunities and clearer direction. Six matches into the current season, he sits as the second-highest wicket-taker - a strong follow-up to his stellar 2024 campaign, where he claimed the Purple Cap with 21 wickets.

In our next instalment, we will feature players from Maharashtra T20 League, Bengal T20, Maharaja T20 League, UP T20 League, DPL, Sher-e-Punjab and Kerala Cricket League