5 uncapped IPL players who might get a call for the ODI series in Sri Lanka

This edition of the IPL gave us a great insight into the talent that exists in our country, especially in the fast bowling department. Some youngsters kept clocking the 140 mark with ease, which was something quite rare in India and this gives the Indian selectors panel, led by MSK Prasad plenty to think about.

With most of these young talents featuring in the recently concluded Triangular series between India A, South Africa A and Afghanistan A, the players got great exposure to the extremely difficult South African conditions which assist the fast bowlers a lot. A fact that they managed to triumph in that tour with a resounding win in the final speaks volumes of the calibre of these players.

With India about to play Sri Lanka in the ODI series after the conclusion of the third Test, some of these players stand a spectacular chance of getting a place in the national squad. Here is a list of five players who definitely have caught the attention of selectors and might soon don the Indian jersey.

1. Shreyas Iyer

The 22-year-old Mumbaikar had a decent outing in the IPL and the South Africa tour, making him one of the hot favourites to get roped in. This ain’t the first time he’s on the radar and he was also called up as a backup opener for the series against Australia in March but didn’t get a chance.

He’s coming off a spectacular 140 in the final of the Tri-series against hosts South Africa and he’s one of those technically proper players who will offer a lot to the side. He was sent to bat in the middle order a lot of times in the IPL and he managed to score runs there as well. If he really gets an opportunity to be a part of the side, that’d be least surprising.

2. Basil Thampi

The young and dynamic fast bowler from Kerala, Basil Thampi won the emerging player award this edition of the IPL. The 23-year-old is quick, agile and fit and is highly likely to feature in the Indian side in the time to come. The Gujarat Lions led by Suresh Raina found a crucial asset in him and though he was leaking runs a lot, he picked a lot of wickets to compensate.

Many experts already rate him very highly and it really would be remarkable if he can continue bowling this way for some more time. Glenn McGrath recently lauded the youngster for his effort and hard work after they had worked together at the MRF Pace Foundation. After a terrific rendition in the South Africa tour, Thampi’s future just looks brighter than ever before.

3. Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar has been a consistent performer at the domestic level and has managed to lead an extremely talented Tamil Nadu side as well. But for some reasons he hasn’t managed to hog the limelight, nevertheless, his performances in recent times have been brilliant. He can bat at any position and can give his captain few decent overs with his medium pace.

He performed well for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the few opportunities he got and in the South Africa tour, he played some wonderful knocks coming in the middle order. The 26-year-old is in the form of his life and is highly likely to get a place in the upcoming ODI series at the neighbouring Isles.

4. Mohammad Siraj

Experts describe Mohammad Siraj as one of the finest talents in the country, yet, the Hyderabadi is a little too raw to get International exposure. There were a lot of occasions in the IPL where he representing Sunrisers Hyderabad and he did get some hammering due to his poor line and length. But he can follow it up with an absolute cracker and cover it up big time.

He can escalate his speed well over 140 with ease, but he needs to get a lot more consistent than what he is at this moment of time. Having said that, his performances in the recent South Africa tour have been very good and the way he paired up with Siddharth Kaul with the new ball was outstanding.

5. Siddharth Kaul

Kaul was an integral part of the Indian side that won Under-19 World Cup under Virat Kohli‘s captaincy in 2008, but he failed to create a noticeable impact later. Yet, the Punjabi fought all his adversities with great courage and bowled some mind-boggling death overs for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

David Warner was full of praises for the lad as he formed a spectacular bowling pair with the superstar of the franchise Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Form too is on his side, which makes him one of the hot favourites to book a ticket to Sri Lanka and it’d be a wonderful tale of inspiration and grit if he manages to grab his National jersey.