The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off its 18th season on March 22, with the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match. As is often the case, this season will also see several uncapped players vying for attention, and some of these talented individuals could very well steal the show with their performances. Let’s take a closer look at five uncapped players who could make a significant impact in the 18th season of the IPL.
One such player is Vaibhav Suryavanshi of the Rajasthan Royals, who made headlines by scoring a century off just 58 balls against the Australia Under-19 team. He also had a impressive outing in the Under-19 Asia Cup, showcasing his explosive batting skills. Currently, Suryavanshi is training under the watchful eye of Rahul Dravid at the Rajasthan Royals camp. Notably, Suryavanshi is just 13 years old, making him a potential candidate to become the youngest player in IPL history if he gets a chance to play in the playing eleven.
The Mumbai Indians acquired Robin Minj for 65 lakh rupees in the IPL mega auction. Minj, who plays domestic cricket for Jharkhand, is known for his aggressive batting style and his skills as a wicketkeeper. He was part of the Gujarat Titans in the 2024 IPL season but missed out on playing due to a road accident. This season, Minj will be looking to make a mark and prove his worth.
Suryansh Shedge, who was picked up by the Punjab Kings in the IPL mega auction, had a remarkable performance in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 36 runs off just 15 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes. His team, Madhya Pradesh, was chasing a target of 175 runs in that match. Shedge had a strike rate of 252 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he also took 8 wickets. His impressive show in the domestic tournament caught the attention of the Punjab Kings, who decided to rope him in for the IPL.
Andre Siddharth, the nephew of Tamil Nadu cricket legend S Sharat, has already made a name for himself in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and the Ranji Trophy. In the Ranji Trophy, Siddharth has averaged 68.00, scoring 612 runs. He is being touted as a potential future star, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the IPL.
Last but not least, there’s Bevon Jacobs, a New Zealand-born player who is part of the Mumbai Indians squad. Jacobs has an impressive strike rate of 189 in his first 6 T20 matches and has maintained a strike rate of around 150 in 20 T20 games so far. With his explosive batting skills, Jacobs could be a game-changer for the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming season.
These five uncapped players have the potential to make a significant impact in the 18th season of the IPL. With their impressive performances in domestic cricket and other tournaments, they are ready to take the big stage by storm. As the IPL kicks off, all eyes will be on these talented youngsters, and it will be exciting to see how they fare against the best players in the world.
