Ever since its inception, IPL has only presented positives for Indian Cricket. While a stable financial model was made accessible to cricketers across the country, the Indian Team has also become skillful because of the competition.
A world-class platform, performance in IPL usually weighs almost the same as an International game. However, from a player’s perspective, representing your country is the ultimate goal and satisfaction.
On the hindside, though, fight for a place in the Indian squad has now become cut-throat. Consistency is key, and even if you do well in the IPL, sometimes, chances just don’t come your way. This case has been proved with a few cricketers. To play 50 games in a competitive tournament in itself is an achievement, and yet, these talented players haven’t got their chance with India so far.
1.Suryakumar Yadav
We start off with Suryakumar Yadav, as we perceive that he is the most meriting of the file to play for Team India. Having played close to 90 games in IPL, SKY is yet to get a call up to the senior squad. This is more heartening considering he has been brilliant in the competition. The Mumbai batsman has scored around 1600 runs in his career at an average of 27.72. More often than not, he has bailed his team out of tricky situations, and it is here that we think he warrants a chance. With India supporting youngsters at the moment, it may not be a bad idea to have an experienced guy like Suryakumar Yadav to help traverse through this transition period.
2.Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana has just accumulated 50 IPL caps and is destined to collect more. A left-hander who can play in various positions is a bonus, and hence, Rana has become an asset for the team he represents. He is someone who is good against both the quicks and the spinners, and has multiple plans up his sleeve. India definitely needs a left-handed option in the middle-order and barring Rishabh Pant, there is none at the moment. Rana fits the bill, and if he can remain consistent, a selection is not far away.
3.Deepak Hooda
After a fine U19 World Cup campaign, many had prophesied Deepak Hooda to accomplish big things. However, matters have not gone the fancied road for the Baroda man. In his 61 IPL games, Deepak has scored just 524 runs and collected only seven wickets. For an all-rounder, the stats just have to be better. Nevertheless, he is still young, and opportunities would still be lingering on the plate. He might not get sufficient opportunities with KXIP this season, but when it does arise, he must grab it with both his hands.
4.Rajat Bhatia
Rajat Bhatia played 95 IPL games and hundreds of domestic matches, but the opportunity to play for India never came by. In IPL, he was actually good. He collected 71 wickets and also scored 342 runs down the order. Rajat was a nightmare for the batsman on slow pitches. It is also on these wickets that the Delhi all-rounder’s best displays happened. He has now retired from the game and has got himself involved in coaching projects.
5.Shadab Jakati
Shadab Jakati often goes under the radar when past CSK squads are talked about. Bowling with the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Muthaiah Muralidaran, Jakati often stood apart with his performances. He was a superb turner of the ball, and when the pitches did not assist, the Goa cricketer made use of his innate ability to bowl tight lines and lengths. Jakati got 48 wickets in his IPL career, most of it in Yellow Jersey. He could not replicate his form for RCB and Gujarat Lions and eventually had to lose out on his IPL contract.
While these players clocked the 50-mark, there are other players who did well in IPL but could not play for India. Iqbal Abdullah and Manan Vohra have played 49 IPL games so far, while others such as Pravin Tambe and Harshal Patel have played quite a few matches in the tournament.
