NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League was won by Kolkata Knight Riders for the third time, when they crushed Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets.
A look at five young cricketers who drew attention during the Twenty20 tournament:
Jake Fraser-McGurk
Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly both praised the Australian for his courageous batting for the Delhi Capitals during his inaugural IPL season.
The 22-year-old opener, who replaced bowler Lungi Ngidi due to injury, amassed 330 runs at a punishing strike rate of more than 234 in nine games.
Originally left off of their original team, his stunning performances earned Australia a spot in their team as a travelling reserve for the T20 World Cup next month.
Fraser-McGurk has been described as “a serious talent” by Delhi’s head coach and former captain of Australia, Ponting. Ganguly said the “game-changer” has a bright future.
Abhishek Sharma
The 23-year-old left-hander’s spectacular run to the final proved crucial.
In 16 games, he amassed 484 runs with a strike rate of over 200, forming an explosive opening partnership with Travis Head of Australia.
Abhishek also contributed with his left-arm spin when got two wickets against the Rajasthan Royals to help Hyderabad advance to their third IPL final.
“He is amazing, I wouldn’t want to bowl against him. He’s scary,” skipper Pat Cummins said of the youngster after his knock of 66 helped Hyderabad into the play-offs.
Abhishek did not make India’s T20 World Cup squad, despite his performances.
Will Jacks
The batting all-rounder earned a spot in the England World Cup squad by riding the wave of his successful season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In April, he scored a century off 41 balls against the Gujarat Titans, demonstrating his devastating skill and surpassing even Virat Kohli during their 166-run partnership.
When Jacks hit a six to reach his ton, Kohli’s expression of amazement and happiness told it all. Later, the former captain of India referred to the knock as “phenomenal”.
The 25-year-old was crucial to Bengaluru’s playoff success, finishing with 230 runs in eight games.
Tristan Stubbs
The South African was acquired at auction for Rs 50 lakhs and became a top “finisher” in Delhi during a season in which his club finished an unsatisfactory sixth in the standings.
With a strike rate of 297.33 in the final overs, the 23-year-old recorded the highest ever IPL strike rate for at least 100 runs.
“The way he is finishing games, it’s like he’s been doing it for 10 years,” former Australia batsman Tom Moody purred.
It was a breakout IPL for Stubbs, who concluded the season with an unbeaten 25-ball 57 against Lucknow Super Giants and he will hope to carry that form into the T20 World Cup in the United States and Caribbean.
Matheesha Pathirana
With his talent for choking runs in the last overs, the 21-year-old fast bowler known by the nickname “Baby Malinga” shone for the Chennai Super Kings.
Before his IPL career was cut short by a hamstring injury, he claimed 13 wickets in six games.
Bengaluru’s victory left Chennai feeling bereft as they were eliminated from the playoffs.
Pathirana has been compared to the legendary Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga due to his slinging movement.
After recovering from the injury, Pathirana is anticipated to lead Sri Lanka’s attack during the T20 World Cup.
(With AFP inputs)
A look at five young cricketers who drew attention during the Twenty20 tournament:
Jake Fraser-McGurk
Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly both praised the Australian for his courageous batting for the Delhi Capitals during his inaugural IPL season.
The 22-year-old opener, who replaced bowler Lungi Ngidi due to injury, amassed 330 runs at a punishing strike rate of more than 234 in nine games.
Originally left off of their original team, his stunning performances earned Australia a spot in their team as a travelling reserve for the T20 World Cup next month.
Fraser-McGurk has been described as “a serious talent” by Delhi’s head coach and former captain of Australia, Ponting. Ganguly said the “game-changer” has a bright future.
Abhishek Sharma
The 23-year-old left-hander’s spectacular run to the final proved crucial.
In 16 games, he amassed 484 runs with a strike rate of over 200, forming an explosive opening partnership with Travis Head of Australia.
Abhishek also contributed with his left-arm spin when got two wickets against the Rajasthan Royals to help Hyderabad advance to their third IPL final.
“He is amazing, I wouldn’t want to bowl against him. He’s scary,” skipper Pat Cummins said of the youngster after his knock of 66 helped Hyderabad into the play-offs.
Abhishek did not make India’s T20 World Cup squad, despite his performances.
Will Jacks
The batting all-rounder earned a spot in the England World Cup squad by riding the wave of his successful season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In April, he scored a century off 41 balls against the Gujarat Titans, demonstrating his devastating skill and surpassing even Virat Kohli during their 166-run partnership.
When Jacks hit a six to reach his ton, Kohli’s expression of amazement and happiness told it all. Later, the former captain of India referred to the knock as “phenomenal”.
The 25-year-old was crucial to Bengaluru’s playoff success, finishing with 230 runs in eight games.
Tristan Stubbs
The South African was acquired at auction for Rs 50 lakhs and became a top “finisher” in Delhi during a season in which his club finished an unsatisfactory sixth in the standings.
With a strike rate of 297.33 in the final overs, the 23-year-old recorded the highest ever IPL strike rate for at least 100 runs.
“The way he is finishing games, it’s like he’s been doing it for 10 years,” former Australia batsman Tom Moody purred.
It was a breakout IPL for Stubbs, who concluded the season with an unbeaten 25-ball 57 against Lucknow Super Giants and he will hope to carry that form into the T20 World Cup in the United States and Caribbean.
Matheesha Pathirana
With his talent for choking runs in the last overs, the 21-year-old fast bowler known by the nickname “Baby Malinga” shone for the Chennai Super Kings.
Before his IPL career was cut short by a hamstring injury, he claimed 13 wickets in six games.
Bengaluru’s victory left Chennai feeling bereft as they were eliminated from the playoffs.
Pathirana has been compared to the legendary Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga due to his slinging movement.
After recovering from the injury, Pathirana is anticipated to lead Sri Lanka’s attack during the T20 World Cup.
(With AFP inputs)
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