Indian cricket has felt the benefits of the IPL far beyond the T20 format.
Rohit Sharma’s national team were recently ranked number one in the world in both white ball formats and number two in Tests behind Australia — a side they have beaten in their past four series.
A key factor in this is the incredible depth of talent India can now call upon, with the IPL having raised standards and professionalism across the board.
Even so, there are still a host of uncapped domestic players knocking on the door every season, hoping standout displays for their franchise side can seal an international breakthrough.
Here are the uncapped Indians The Sporting News will be keeping an eye on during IPL 2023.
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Mohsin Khan (Lucknow Supergiants)
If Khan hadn't had to undergo shoulder surgery in the middle of last year, he almost certainly wouldn't be on this list on account of having India caps to his name. When fully fit, the 24-year-old paceman is the full package. A left-arm quick with the ability to swing the ball both ways at speeds up to 150 kph and call upon a well-disguised slower ball is no one's idea of a good time.
He took a career-best 4/16 against Dehli Capitals in 2022, the pick of an impressive body of work that saw Khan take 14 wickets at 14.07 — the best average of anyone to have bowled more than six overs in the tournament. His strike rate was 14.1, with an economy of a shade under a run-a-ball.
If he can recover from injury in time to play a part in LSG's campaign, he could have a huge — albeit brief — impact.
Narayan Jagadeesan (Kolkata Knight Riders)
After kicking his heels as a backup to MS Dhoni at Chennai, wicketkeeper batter Jagadeesan will have the chance to impress with KKR and has gone nuclear in the meantime. Perceptions of a conservative batter not best suited to the shortest form have been blown out of the water by Jagadeesan’s performances in 50-over cricket. He made history for Tamil Nadu by becoming the first batter ever to score centuries in five consecutive List A matches.
He rounded off this astonishing run in November last year with a format record 277 off 141 balls against Arunachal Pradesh. Kolkata picked Jagadeesan up for Rs 90 lakhs after he was listed at a base price of Rs 20 lakhs. A back injury suffered by captain Shreyas Iyer means his arrival might have come at the perfect time.
Avinash Singh (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The outright wildcard of this selection. This time last year Singh had only just started bowling with a leather ball, having honed his natural talent hurling tennis balls in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh was identified by RCB’s Hinterland Scouting programme, with his capacity to bowl in excess of 145 kph a key part of his appeal. Undoubtedly raw, this tearaway paceman could be a secret weapon for Bangalore.
Who is Avinash Singh? He’d never played professional leather ball cricket until Hinterland Scouting introduced us to this new Jammu and Kashmir pace sensation. Find out more on who he is, and what RCB’s plans are.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/NXloftaWqJ
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) December 25, 2022
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Mukesh Kumar (Delhi Capitals)
A man very much at the other end of the spectrum to Avinash Singh. Kumar has impressed with India A, taking 6/40 versus Bangladesh in December, and was part of the ODI squad for the home series against South Africa last September.
The 29-year-old is a seamer with expert control over line and length and boasts a fine domestic record, taking 32 wickets as he bowled Bengal to the Ranji Trophy final two years ago. Still, until Delhi put up Rs 5.5 crore for his services in this season’s auction, he had not made it to the IPL. Kumar will be keen to make up for lost time.
Yash Thakur (Lucknow Supergiants)
There is arguably no more valuable commodity in T20 than gun death bowling and Lucknow Supergiants might have snared themselves a bargain by securing Thakur for Rs 45 lakh. In the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy he took 15 wickets across 10 matches with Vidarbha, at a strike rate of 13.2 and economy of 7.17. His days as an IPL net bowler would appear to be at an end.
𝗣recision. 𝗣ace. 𝗣rodigy. 😎#SuperFam, enjoy this 𝗣review of #IPL2023 from our Birthday Boy, @Yasht28! 🔥#LucknowSuperGiants | #LSG | #BhaukaalMachaDenge pic.twitter.com/4ub0NsT4HU
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) December 28, 2022
Sharukh Khan (Punjab Kings)
Sharing his name with a Bollywood star, Khan appeared destined to have his name in lights when he burst onto the scene with Tamil Nadu in 2016. Standing at 6ft 6ins, he looked the part as a muscular hitter. However, the reality is still yet to live up to the promise. At 27, this feels like a pivotal year for Khan, who must secure his position in an explosive Kings middle order featuring the likes of Liam Livingston and Sam Curran.
Rajvardhan Hangargekar (Chennai Super Kings)
A future star of Indian cricket is ready to make his mark on the IPL after warming the bench last season. Hangargekar was the standout performer in India’s U19 World Cup triumph last year and is an all-rounder who appears to have it all. He bowls with good pace and can clear the ropes with easy when he has the bat in hand. Hardik Pandya inspired Gujarat to a stunning IPL triumph in 2022; Hangargekar is viewed as his long-term heir in India colours.
6⃣6⃣6⃣ 💥
— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2022
Rajvardhan Hangargekar's monster-hitting against Ireland has been voted the winner of @Nissan Play of the Tournament 🎉 pic.twitter.com/rsQ3qrInyG
MORE: Make your IPL 2023 predictions and win prizes with Dafabet in Premier League Mania
Rahul Tewatia (Gujarat Titans)
Tewatia was a vital member of Gujarat Titans’ breakout title-winning side last term. The left-hander’s power-hitting in the middle order was a vital asset for a team that loved to take chases deep. Handy leg-spin is also part of the package he offers to the selectors but turns 30 in May.
Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians)
A stylish left-handed batsman with a big future. Varma, 20, enjoyed a breakout IPL in 2022 when he scored 397 runs at an average of 36.09 with a couple of half-centuries. Unearthing local talent hasn’t always been a strong suit for Mumbai Indians but they have a gem on their hands.
Akash Vasisht (Rajasthan Royals)
Vasisht might have his work cut out trying to break into a formidable Rajasthan batting line-up but he adds enviable depth to the options last season’s runners-up have available. The 28-year-old has matured into an ice-cool finisher and fine player of spin at Himachal, for whom he top scored with 216 runs at a strike rate of 163.63 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The final proved a bridge too far in the domestic T20 competition but Vasisht’s 76 not out off 42 balls in a successful quarterfinal chase of 200 against Bengal was exceptional. He also supplies very useful left-arm spin.
MORE: Make your IPL 2023 predictions and win prizes with Dafabet in Premier League Million Bonanza
Sanvir Singh (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
A seam-bowling all-rounder heading into his peak years at 26, Singh possesses swing and accuracy as his main calling cards. He can also supply explosive lower-order hitting. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy he bludgeoned 119 across three innings at a strike rate of 205.17.
Mayank Dagar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Spin-bowling all-rounder Dagar joined Kings XI Punjab in 2018 but did not play a single game. He gets the chance to go again with Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were very keen to secure his services and prevailed in a bidding war with Rajasthan Royals that set them back Rs 1.8 crores.
Hyderabad are lacking in the all-rounder department and Dagar’s canny slow left-arm bowling and ability to score quick runs presented an attractive package. The 26-year-old is also an athletic presence in the field.
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