The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its explosive action, world-class talent, and thrilling match-ups. But amidst the big names and established stars, there are always opportunities for lesser-known players to steal the spotlight.
With the 2024 IPL Player Auction just around the corner (19th December), let’s take a look at three players who could be surprising buys and emerge as key contributors for their respective franchises.
Mohammad Waqar Salamkheil
A number of spinners from Afghanistan have had a great time in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and one who could join them next is Mohammad Waqar Salamkheil. At first glance, Waqar Salamkheil might be a lesser-known name, but the interesting fact is that he has been a part of the MI family for sometimes with the likes of MI Cape Town, MI New York and MI Emirates. But, he had a massive campaign in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023, where he picked-up 11 wickets from 8 matches for the Trinbago Knight Riders, the sister team of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). No doubt Salamkheil will be a player of particular interest from Mumbai Indians and the KKR team.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
While Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been a steady performer in English county cricket and various other T20 leagues around the world, his T20 exploits have often flown under the radar. A hard-hitting batsman with a penchant for clearing boundaries, Kohler-Cadmore has the potential to be a game-changer in the IPL. Not that just he is a hard-hitting batter, but he has pretty consistent about it, scoring 368 runs in the recently concluded T10 League from 10 innings.
Jamie Overton
Jamie Overton brings a unique blend of pace bowling and aggressive batting to the table. Known for his ability to generate raw pace and contribute with the bat down the order, Overton could offer a dual impact for any IPL team. With experience in various T20 leagues and a hunger for success, this English all-rounder might just be the surprise package that elevates a team’s performance in the upcoming season. He has played 80 T20 innings and has taken 70 wickets and has also scored 987 runs with a strike rate of 174.
