IPL 2018: Unknown players of the Rajasthan Royals

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 action for the upcoming season is already underway as the mega players’ auction for the same culminated earlier this weekend. It was an action-filled two days as we witnessed some intense bidding wars between franchises as they attempted to bolster their respective squads. With the salary cap increased for the auction process, the teams spent big as players from India and overseas went under the hammer.

While the list boasted of some IPL heavyweights, it also included a lot of newbies who attracted the franchisees in the auction. The T20 league has been an iconic tournament in the country, unearthing numerous talents which in turn has improved India’s cricketing landscape.

The Rajasthan Royals franchise will embark on a fresh new journey as they gear themselves up for the upcoming season. The inaugural champions who are making a return to the fray after serving a two-year ban will wish to forget their past horrors and start afresh. Among all the franchises, the ones that arguably made the most surprising moves is the Royals.

While the franchise has acquired certain big-shots in the likes of Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat and Ajinkya Rahane amongst others, they have also continued to give the young colts a chance by purchasing them at the auctions. Royals had previously been clinical in unearthing and developing numerous talents. Given below are the unknown stars who can shine for RR in the upcoming season.

1. Zahir Khan

A revelation of the ongoing edition of the U19 World Cup, Afghanistan chinaman Zahir Khan is amongst the most promising prospects in the RR squad. Khan was a part of the junior Afghanistan squad which made to the semis of the World Cup.

He had already made news when he ended as leading wicket-taker in Afghanistan’s Shpageeza Cricket League T20 with 15 wickets by pushing Rashid Khan (14) behind. He has taken a staggering 31 wickets in only 6 first-class games that he has played so far having represented the team in the Intercontinental Cup.