Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The Indian Premier League is not all about highly-paid stars. Many rookies who have forced their way into the 10 franchises with their performances in the Ranji Trophy will look to kickstart their international careers with a good stint in the Twenty20 competition’s fourth edition starting Friday.

Left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt, who was the leading wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy this year with 47 wickets at an average of 21.57, was picked by Kings XI Punjab. The
20-year-old got into the squad with his fine performance in domestic cricket.

Mumbai’s left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdullah is another exciting prospect who was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders following his good Ranji season, where he picked 27 victims at an average of 22.11. He also scored his maiden Ranji century, an unbeaten 150 against Saurashtra in their opening match.

Another left-arm spinner, Delhi’s Vikas Mishra, has impressed with his craft and picked up 15 wickets from five matches at an average of 21.05 in the Ranji Trophy. The 18-year-old was picked by Delhi Daredevils for their 29-member squad.

Rajasthan fast bowler Deepak Chahar, whose eight-wicket burst for 10 runs reduced Hyderabad to its lowest Ranji Trophy total, has been signed up by Rajasthan Royals.

Among the batsmen, Manish Pandey, who became the first Indian to hit a century in the IPL, is among the top run grossers in the Ranji Trophy this year. He scored 629 runs from eight matches for Karnataka. This season Pandey shifted loyalties from Royal Challengers Bangalore to new team Sahara Pune Warriors amid a salary cap row.

Punjab batsman Sarul Kanwar notched up 501 runs from just five Ranji matches and was quick to be absorbed by last year’s runners-up Mumbai Indians.

Haryana’s Nitin Saini amassed 535 runs from seven matches in Ranji Trophy and soon made his way to Kings XI Punjab.