IPL 2021 was a unique season in the Indian Premier League history. For the first time in the competition’s history, it happened in two different phases during the calendar year. IPL 2021 started in April in India but was halted in May because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Later in September, the tournament resumed from where it stopped but the venue being the United Arab Emirates. Chennai Super Kings won the title that year. After that, the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 happened in the UAE, and instead of picking the regular players of the Indian team, the selectors decided to give the IPL performers a chance because they had done well in the UAE.
As per reports, Asia Cup 2022 will move to the UAE as well, which is why the selectors might consider the following three names who did well in IPL 2020 and 2021.
1. Varun CV
Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders, Varun CV had a memorable season with the ball. The mystery spinner earned a place in the Indian T20 World Cup squad after his fantastic performances for KKR. He scalped 10 wickets in six matches in Dubai, while in Abu Dhabi, he took 13 wickets in 10 matches, including a five-wicket haul.
2. Venkatesh Iyer – breakout star of IPL 2021
Another KKR player to feature on the list is Venkatesh Iyer. The left-handed batter scored 370 runs in 10 matches during the UAE leg in 2021. He had a batting average of more than 40 and he registered four fifties. Iyer could be a backup for Hardik Pandya if needed.
3. Ruturaj Gaikwad – Orange Cap winner of IPL 2021
Chennai Super Kings opener Ruturaj Gaikwad won the Orange Cap in 2021. He was the highest run-scorer among all the teams and recorded his maiden IPL ton in the UAE. Gaikwad could be a backup opener.
