IPL 2019: 5 Unexpected players who impressed in the league stage

After a month and a half of exciting games with nerve-wracking finishes and topsy-turvy league table standings, the group stage of the 2019 edition of the IPL has come to an end. With Delhi Capitals defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad, only three teams are left fighting for the glory now. The three shall put their skills to the test and battle it out amongst themselves in the latter half of the week to determine the winner of the tournament’s twelfth edition.

As always, the IPL has lived up to its expectations in terms of individual performances by the players. The IPL is a confluence of talent and opportunity – where the best cricketing talents from around the globe get the opportunity to showcase their skills on the same stage. Be it powerhouses like Andre Russell or Hardik Pandya, consistent run-getters like David Warner, or pragmatic wicket-takers like Imran Tahir or Kagiso Rabada, there is a delectable array of talent to choose from.

But all these are the usual suspects, the crowd favourites going into the tournament who were expected to make an impact for their team. But the IPL also opens the door for some brilliant performances from unexpected players – be it youngsters getting their first brush with such a grand stage, or veterans renewing themselves in T20 cricket, these unexpected performers make viewers sit up, take notice and appreciate their craft.

Here we bring you five least expected players who impressed everyone

1. Shreyas Gopal (Rajasthan Royals)

Shreyas Gopal’s IPL journey started with the Mumbai Indians back in 2014, but he hardly got any game time for them. He started playing for the Royals last season and had a decent outing picking up 11 wickets from as many games. He had gained repute as a dependable bowler, but few expected him to set the stage on fire as he has done this season.

The 25-year-old leggie has taken a whopping 20 wickets in 14 games- a proof of his consistency, at an economy of just 7.22, and sits third on the purple cap standings. Not bad at all by the Karnataka bowler, who often looked like the only threat in the Rajasthan bowling lineup.

He was prolific all season even with his lower-order batting, and top it all off was his hat-trick vs the RCB at his home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

2) Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals)

Just 17 years of age, Riyan Parag is the new kid on the block who has made quite an impression this season. Another unexpected find in the Royals camp, Riyan had limited chances this season but showed his class whenever he got the chance. The right-hander from Assam scored 160 runs in just five innings, which implies his consistent average of 32, and a handy strike-rate of nearly 129.

Parag became the youngest batsman to score a 50 in the IPL when he scored a half-century against the Delhi Capitals in the Royals’ last league game. It took him some time to finally convert the 40s into a half-century but overall in the season, the youngster from Assam did pretty well. He’s definitely one of the finds of this IPL edition.

3) Rahul Chahar (Mumbai Indians)

Brothers Deepak and Rahul Chahar might not be playing for the same franchise in this IPL, but this season has seen both of them shine in their own colours.  The 19-year-old leg-spinner of the Mumbai Indians has impressed all with his bowling in the middle overs. His strengths prevail in his efficient leg-breaks and his remarkable control over it. Chahar has credited a part of it to his friend and guide the veteran Imran Tahir.

Overall in this IPL, Rahul has scalped 10 wickets from 11 games, but his credit lies in his economy of 7.17 is a statistic unexpected from such a young bowler. Along with teammate Krunal Pandya, Chahar has been able to put on the pressure on the batsmen during the middle overs, not leaking runs through some disciplined T20 bowling. He’s definitely the one to watch out for in the national team for the future.

4) Sam Curran (Kings XI Punjab)

Though Sam Curran might have been an England international before the start of the IPL, very few expected him to do so well in the Indian domestic T20 tournament. The 20-year-old got a (split over) hattrick against the Capitals, making him the youngest player to do so in IPL history. Though he tended to be a bit expensive, Curran picked up 10 wickets in 9 games.

An all-rounder, Curran chipped in with some runs also – 95 of them in 8 innings including a fifty against KKR, and striking at an incredible 173 runs per 100 balls. England will have high hopes for him. Curran, who started his career with Test cricket has proven that he’s not at all restricted to being only a red-ball cricketer.

While KXIP was knocked out of the tournament on Sunday, Curran finished his IPL debut season off with hitting the winning runs against CSK.

5) Ishant Sharma (Delhi Capitals)

Ishant Sharma has rediscovered himself in this IPL season. For a bowler who is considered suited only for Test cricket, Ishant in T20s was usually touted as a recipe for disaster. His form in previous IPLs was not at all encouraging, and even the Capitals left him out of the team for the first few games. But Ishant came back with a purpose, bowling with venom and discipline, restricting the batsmen from hitting too many runs in his overs. He was backed by the head coach and mentor of the Delhi Capitals.

Usually, an expensive T20 bowler, Ishant’s economy this season has been just 7.6, which is very good. He has taken on the role of the senior spearhead of his side’s attack and has picked up 10 wickets from 11 league stage games. He added a couple more scalps in the eliminator against the SRH and would love to make a similar impact in the second qualifier as well.

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