As the IPL 2021 goes into an indefinite break following the events from Tuesday, here’s a look at some of the uncapped stars who managed to make an impression in the limited time.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Matches – 7, Runs – 196, Bat Avg – 28.00, Bat SR – 128.9, 50s – 2

Gaikwad did not hit the ground running, but much like last season, turned around his slow start to the season in remarkable fashion. His partnerships with Faf du Plessis and ability to go after spin made him a certainty at the top in this XI. What’s more, he has a rather dynamic partner at the top.

Devdutt Padikkal

Matches – 6, Runs – 195, Bat Avg – 39.00, Bat SR – 152.34, 100s – 1, 50s – 0

Padikkal managed to make runs at a rather good strike-rate, showing positive intent in the powerplay overs. One of those starts was converted to a maiden hundred, a 51-ball ton against Rajasthan Royals.

Nitish Rana

Matches – 7, Runs – 201, Bat Avg – 28.71, Bat SR – 122.5, 50s – 2

While his performances came under scrutiny in the last few matches, Nitish Rana took to a fairly new role with ease. He made the most runs among uncapped players this season, and could have had a much better season had KKR provided more support at the top.

Deepak Hooda

Matches – 8, Runs – 116, Bat Avg – 19.3, Bat SR – 143.2, 50s – 1, Wickets – 2

Hooda’s promotion over Nicholas Pooran invited much criticism, but in limited opportunities, Hooda showed a different side of his game, displaying brute power and impeccable timing from No.4. While he failed a few times, Hooda’s strike-rate justifies his role this season.

Shahrukh Khan

Matches – 8, Runs – 107, Bat Avg – 21.4, Bat SR – 127.38, 50s – 0

He did not get very many chances, but Shahrukh Khan showed he was one to watch out for in the future in a couple of handy knocks from lower down the order. The Tamil Nadu finisher gave Punjab a decent total after the top-order collapsed in the game against Chennai.

Shahbaz Ahmed

Matches – 5, Wickets – 4, Bowl Avg – 8.00, Eco – 6.40

Shahbaz won RCB a game single-handedly with the ball in Chennai, picking up 3-7 in two overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a come-from-behind win. Shahbaz maintained an impressive economy rate and showed glimpses of being a decent all-rounder after being pushed to No.3 in one of the matches.

Bold Diaries: The Shahbaz Ahmed story

Nobody else has ever played cricket at this level from Mewat district of Haryana, where Shahbaz Ahmed comes from.

Watch him talk about his journey and ambitions in this special Bold Diaries episode#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/ZjUFrsq7qL

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 20, 2020

Harpreet Brar

Matches – 2, Wickets – 4, Bowl Avg – 9.50, Economy – 5.42, Bat SR – 152.63, HS – 25*

Harpreet Brar came in towards the last couple of matches, but needed only those two games to show what he was capable of. Aside from dismissing the trio of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell, Brar smashed a 17-ball 25 with the bat to win the Player of the Match in his first game. In his second game, Brar cleaned up a dangerous Prithvi Shaw off his first ball in the match and finished with figures of 3-0-19-1.

Harshal Patel

Matches – 7, Wickets – 17, Bowl Avg – 15.11, Eco – 9.17, Best – 5-27

The Purple Cap holder as the IPL goes into hibernation, Harshal Patel was quite impressive early on in the tournament with his death bowling. While Ravindra Jadeja and Brar took the sheen off Harshal’s season with two brutal assaults on him, the RCB quick showed enough to suggest he could be a handy option in an IPL team with his all-round capabilities.

Arshdeep Singh

Matches – 6, Wickets – 7, Bowl Avg – 21.42, Eco – 8.18, Best – 3-35

Arshdeep Singh edges out Chetan Sakariya and Ravi Bishnoi to this XI. The Punjab Kings seamer was critical in the final over of a close run-chase, helping his side win against Rajasthan Royals. His overall numbers are slightly better than Sakariya and helps him pip the RR bowler to a spot in this team.

Avesh Khan

Matches – 8, Wickets – 14, Bowl Avg – 16.50, Eco – 7.70, Best – 3-32

Second in the top wicket takers’ chart, Avesh Khan was perhaps the pick of Indian seamers in the IPL season this time. Excellent with his death bowling and variations, Avesh finished with 14 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.70. He even contained the sensational AB de Villiers in the death overs in the game against RCB.

Varun Chakravarthy

Matches – 7, Wickets – 7, Bowl Avg – 31.28, Eco – 7.82, Best – 2-32

The mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy looked impressive in his few games for Kolkata Knight Riders and put his name in the ring for India’s T20 World Cup team selection. His best performance came against Rajasthan Royals as he dismissed Jos Buttler and Shivam Dube in his four-over spell.

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