IPL 2017: Top 10 youngsters who made a mark in this edition

The 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed magnificent performances by several young players from various franchises.

IPL 2017 will be remembered as an edition which saw youth power in full flow. The performances by several youngsters from various franchises dazzled crowds and gave the world a display of the abundance of the cricketing talent pool in India and the world.

Jaydev Unadkat played a crucial role in Rising Pune Supergiant’s IPL 2017 campaign. (BCCI)

Here is a list of the youngsters who dazzled in the 10th edition of the tournament:

1) Jaydev Unadkat

The performances of Jaydev Unadkat in IPL 2017 have been a revelation. From being the eternal journeyman since he started out in 2010, Unadkat grabbed the opportunity with both hands in Rising Pune Supergiant as he finished the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in 12 games. His wicket-taking ability at any stage of the match was magnificent to watch.

2) Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi scored 391 runs in his debut IPL season. (AFP)

IPL 2017 has unearthed a new talent in the form of Rahul Tripathi. His attacking and fearless batting at the top boosted Rising Pune Supergiant. With 391 runs at a strike-rate of close to 150, he set up the game for Steve Smith’s team on many occasions. He joined a select group of uncapped players who had smashed over 350 runs in the IPL in their debut season.

3) Basil Thampi

Basil Thampi picked 11 wickets in 12 games in IPL 2017. (AFP)

Gujarat Lions unearthed a new talent in Basil Thampi. The Kerala speedster’s confidence and the ability to nail yorkers at will made him the highest wicket-taker among Indian bowlers in the Gujarat Lions team. With 11 wickets in 12 games, Thampi has started off well and he will be aiming to continue the good work in the coming editions.

4) Rishabh Pant

Sachin Tendulkar has described Rishabh Pant as ‘a combination of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina’. (AFP)

Before the start of IPL 2017, Rishabh Pant had lost his father. He recovered and went on to score an attacking fifty against Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the game against Gujarat Lions, Pant displayed his hitting capabilities with a brutal 97 off 43 balls. In the IPL 2017 final, Sachin Tendulkar remarked, “He is a special talent. To me, he looks like a combination of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina - the set up and the bat swing. (He is) wonderful to watch.” These words are a sign of Pant’s future, which has brightened after this edition.

5) Washington Sundar

At 17 years of age, Washington Sundar became the youngest player to feature in an IPL final. (AFP)

At 17 years of age, Washington Sundar has been the find of the tournament. He became the youngest player to feature in an IPL final, beating the mark of 19 years set by Ravindra Jadeja in 2008 while playing for Rajasthan Royals. His economy rate of 6.16 is the best in IPL 2017 and his eight wickets in 10 games had earmarked him for great success in the coming years. His ability to be calm and accurate on a consistent basis has served him well.

6) Rashid Khan

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Afghan spinner Rashid Khan has been a revelation in IPL 2017. (AFP)

IPL 2017 will always be memorable for Afghanistan cricket. It will be even more memorable for the exploits of 18-year-old leg-spin sensation Rashid Khan. Top batsmen struggled to pick his variations. His consistency resulted in 17 wickets in 14 games at an economy rate of 6.62. Having achieved so much success in both Twenty20 internationals and the IPL at such a young age, the future is looking wonderful for Rashid.

7) Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan did well for Gujarat Lions in IPL 2017. (PTI)

Along with Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan, the India U-19 captain, had a decent show in the IPL for Gujarat Lions with some aggressive knocks while opening the batting. Although he averaged just over 27, Ishan provided starts and took on the opposition without any fear.

8) Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson was in superb form throughout the IPL 2017 campaign. (AFP)

This edition of the IPL witnessed the coming of age of Sanju Samson. He set the tournament on fire by smashing the first century of IPL 2017 against Rising Pune Supergiant. He followed it up with a gritty fifty against Kolkata Knight Riders, but it was his 143-run stand with Rishabh Pant against Gujarat Lions that showcased his maturity and talent. For Samson, a consistent run in the coming editions could result in a call-up to the Indian team.

9) Nitish Rana

Mumbai Indians’ Nitish Rana scored 333 runs in IPL 2017. (AFP)

Mumbai Indians found a new talent in the aggressive Nitish Rana. He started the tournament wonderfully with three fifties and all contributed in a win for Rohit Sharma’s side. Although his form tapered away a bit as the tournament progressed, his tally of 333 runs at an average of 30.27 has provided glimpses of what he can offer for the future.

10) Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj played six games in IPL 2017, but showed good form with the ball. (PTI)

The tall pace bowler had already become a star before the IPL 2017 began after he was snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 2.6 crore. He only got to play six games but he displayed his skill and pace in all the games. The highlight of Siraj’s performance in IPL 2017 was his haul of 4/32 against Gujarat Lions which resulted in a dramatic collapse. This performance earned him a Man-of-the-Match award and allowed Sunrisers Hyderabad to win by eight wickets and qualify for the play-offs.