IPL 2024 season preview: 6 uncapped Indian players to keep an eye out for in the upcoming season
The IPL 2024 Auction made headlines for the astronomical amounts certain players were bought for. Mitchell Starc broke Pat Cummins’ record which was held for less than two hours, while various others also landed big deals.
Among those who landed hefty deals for IPL 2024 were some talented, uncapped Indian players. The IPL has typically been a platform for up-and-coming talent to show their worth on such a grand stage, and it will be no different in the upcoming season.
IPL 2024: 6 uncapped players to watch out for
A number of players will be looking to make even more of a name for themselves. Here is a look at six uncapped Indian players to watch out for this season.
Sameer Rizvi – Chennai Super Kings
When the Chennai Super Kings come knocking, it’s because they see a player who can offer value in a clearly-defined way. Sameer Rizvi, referred to as the “right-handed Raina”, is arguably the uncapped Indian player to keep the closest eye on in IPL 2024.
Involved in a bidding war where CSK eventually came out winners with 8.4 crore, Rizvi has made quite the impression in his short career to date. In seven matches in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he finished with 277 runs at an average of 69.25 and strike rate of 139.89. He does most of his work at number four, and CSK eye him as a player who not only could deliver in 2024, but for many years to come.
“People compare me with Raina because of the way I play,” Rizvi said soon after the auction. “If people call me a right-handed Raina then I’ll aim to do what he did for CSK. Even I love fielding like him. I’ll give it my everything.”
Shubham Dubey – Rajasthan Royals
Shubham Dubey lit up the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy competition with his magnificent finishing. In one of the matches, he finished with an unbeaten 58 from just 20 balls to lead Vidarbha to a successful chase of 213 against Bengal. The innings included three fours and six sixes.
Overall, Dubey scored 221 runs at an average of 73.66 and strike rate of 187.28. Finishing was an area the Royals struggled a little in 2023, and it is no wonder why they spent 5.80 crore to acquire his services.
Kumar Kushagra – Delhi Capitals
That the Delhi Capitals splurged 7.2 crore on 19-year-old Kumar Kushagra may have come as a surprise. After all, Kushagra’s T20 batting stats (11 matches, 140 runs, avg. 15.55, SR 117.64) are nothing to write home about yet.
However, the bidding war came about due to the sheer potential he possesses, plus his solid records in First Class (1,185 runs, avg. 40.86) and List A cricket (700 runs, avg. 46.66, SR 89.05).
Speaking of List A cricket, one innings that put him on the map was his 67 off 37 balls for Jharkhand against Maharashtra in a successful chase of 355. He hit four fours and five sixes to seal a fantastic victory.
Shahrukh Khan – Gujarat Titans
Soon after he was released by the Punjab Kings, Shahrukh Khan was picked by the 2022 champions Gujarat Titans for 7.4 crore. Khan’s finishing ability is his biggest asset, and it will be interesting to see how he fares with a current strike rate of 134.81 in 33 IPL matches.
Shahrukh didn’t have the best of tournaments in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, hitting just 45 runs in five innings at a sub-100 strike rate. However, the big stage of the IPL with a franchise who have performed well in their first two seasons can bring out the best in him.
Karthik Tyagi – Gujarat Titans
Talented pacer Karthik Tyagi has the chance to cement his place in an IPL team under the guidance of Ashish Nehra and co. Tyagi has performed well in the competition in the past, producing memorable performances in the 2021 edition where his yorkers caught the eye. There is no doubt he will be motivated to deliver – especially at the death – where higher honours could await him in the future.
The Titans secured Tyagi for just INR60 lakh in the auction, and can get some serious value for money if the pacer produces what he is capable of.
Riyan Parag – Rajasthan Royals
It might seem strange to see Riyan Parag on this list given he has been around in the IPL for quite some time now. However, this is the time for him to deliver.
Parag has often been criticised by fans and pundits for his inconsistency in performances and on-field antics on occasions. But, Rajasthan Royals have stood firm, and this could be the season where they shift him to number four after Parag performed so well in that position domestically.
His 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign would have come as great joy to the Royals. Parag finished with the most runs (510) at a whopping average of 85.00 and strike rate of 182.79 with seven fifties in ten matches. Can he translate some of those numbers to the IPL? Time will tell.
Other players including Arshin Kulkarni (Lucknow Super Giants) and Shaik Rasheed (Chennai Super Kings) will be chomping at the bit to perform well if they get the opportunity. Indeed, it should be another tournament where some uncapped players enhance their reputation in front of huge audiences.
