IPL Emerging Player Award Winners: What Are They Upto Now?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has indeed transformed the face of Indian cricket. It is not only due to the popularity that the tournament stands out apart from the rest of the leagues but the quality of talent it cultivates with each passing year. The depth and the variety in the bench strength of the Indian team is a testament to the same.

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It is the exposure that the young cricketers receive in the IPL that makes a massive difference. It takes only one inning of substance to kickstart on what could be a big leap to the national team. With youngsters getting the chance to share the dressing room alongside the likes of Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne, it boosts their morale.

As such, a handful of players who presently play for the Indian team made their way by being awarded the emerging player of the season. To receive the accolade, an athlete must not have played more than five Tests, 20 ODIs, and is less than 25 years as of April 1st of the year under consideration. Additionally, the player should have featured in less than 25 IPL games.

As of 2020, 12 players have bagged the Emerging Player of the Season award. We take a look at what has unravelled with them ever since winning the honour:

Shreevats Goswami (2008)

Kolkata-born wicketkeeper-batsman Shreevats Goswami was a part of the 2008 U-19 World Cup squad, which India won under Virat Kohli. Post that; he joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural edition of the cash-rich league. However, he couldn’t make a drastic impact, having scored only 82 runs from three innings in that season as RCB finished second last.

The 30-year old has also been a part of Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sunrisers Hyderabad opted for him in 2018 wherein he played six matches, managing only 52 runs at 17.33. Since that, he has remained with the Orange Army in the bench.

Rohit Sharma (2009)

Rohit Sharma has unquestionably turned into an ODI powerhouse since 2009. The 32-year old has tasted unparalleled success in the lucrative tournament till date and is the most successful captain. Rohit Sharma was part of the Deccan Chargers outfit in 2009, who eventually became champions after finishing last in 2008.

The Mumbai batsman played an instrumental role in their title victory, accumulating 362 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 114.92. He became the captain of Mumbai Indians in 2013 and ushered them to four title victories, the latest one being in 2019.

As far as his international career is concerned, Rohit Sharma is one of the best opening batsmen in 50-over cricket as of today. He got promoted to the top order in 2013, a position in which he has mustered 7148 runs in 138 innings at 58.11.

Saurabh Tiwary (2010)

Like Shreevats Goswami, Saurabh Tiwary was also a part of the 2008 U-19 World Cup-winning squad. The third season of the IPL was his breakout, wherein he smacked 419 runs at a strike rate of 135.60. Due to his fruitful edition, Saurabh was awarded an Indian jersey in 2010.

However, that could last for only three matches in 2010 with 49 runs. After that year, the 30-year old couldn’t get a game due to a plethora of other talents on the rise. Defending champions Mumbai Indians opted for the Jharkhand batsman ahead of IPL 2020 for a sum of INR 50 lakh, having last played a fixture in 2017.

Iqbal Abdullah (2011)

Yet another key member of India’s victorious U-19 World Cup outfit, Iqbal Abdullah was the leading wicket-taker for them. The left-arm spinner snapped ten wickets in six games at an average of 13 with an impressive economy rate of 3.71. Due to his 16 wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders that season, Iqbal bagged the emerging player of the season award.

Despite such numbers, the 30-year old could never don the national colours. With a base price of even INR 30 lakh, he went unsold ahead of the thirteenth season of the IPL. The Azamgarh-born was also a part of Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, having last played a match in 2017 for the latter.

Mandeep Singh (2012)

The Punjab-based batsman Mandeep Singh snared the emerging player of the award in 2012 for his imposing show with the bat. Mandeep mustered 432 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 126.32 for Kings XI Punjab.

In 2016, he appeared for three T20Is against Zimbabwe, in which he accumulated 87 runs at 43.50. Yet, even after an impressive start, he hasn’t played for the national side ever since. With the middle-order packed with reliable candidates like Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, and Hardik Pandya, he would have to work hard to win back his spot.

Sanju Samson (2013)

The IPL has all thank for unearthing a talent as good as Sanju Samson. Ever since his debut in 2011, he has gone on from strength to strength. In 2011, Samson won the emerging player of the award for getting 206 runs under his belt. His best season so far was in 2018, wherein he clattered 441 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 137.81.

But the 25-year old hasn’t been able to make the most when handed chances to represent the national side. After 2015, the keeper-batsman received a chance this year, which he threw it away by playing some reckless shots. The talent is there, but the Kerala batsman has to work hard on his temperament to find success.

Axar Patel (2014)

Gujarat-born spin-bowler Axar Patel bagged 17 wickets at an economy rate of 6.17 for Kings XI Punjab. In his debut season, the left-arm spinner was the go-to man for captain George Bailey, whether to control runs or pick wickets. His debut season turned out to be quite a success.

A fruitful IPL edition awarded him an Indian cap, witnessing a meteoric rise. Having been part of India’s squad for the 2015 World Cup, he has represented them in 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is so far. The 26-year old hasn’t donned the national colours since February 2018 and he plays for Delhi Capitals currently.

Shreyas Iyer (2015)

A run-tally of 439 runs at a credible average of 33.76 was enough to earn Shreyas Iyer the emerging player of the season award. Back in 2017, he made his first appearance for India but remained in and out ever since. The Mumbai batsman also missed out on a berth in India’s 2019 World Cup squad.

However, 2019 turned out to be the turning point for him. Shreyas grabbed the opportunity to solve the problem of India’s number four spot in ODIs. The youngster has been a revelation for them. In 2018, Shreyas also took over as the captain of Delhi-based franchise in the IPL.

Mustafizur Rahman (2016)

Mustafizur Rahman is the only overseas player so far to win the emerging player of the season award. The Bangladesh left-arm seamer had already troubled the best at the international level before joining Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. For his 17 wickets that played a crucial role in Hyderabad’s title victory, Mustafizur bagged the accolade.

At present, a trail of injuries has derailed his ability and form to a drastic extent. The 24-year old remains a vital part of the national squad, but he couldn’t find a bidder ahead of IPL 2020, going unsold.

Basil Thampi (2017)

The Kerala-born speedster became the recipient of the emerging player of the season award, courtesy of his 12 wickets in 2017 for Gujarat Lions. In 11 games, he managed 12 wickets. The numbers may not look eye-catching, but Basil possesses the potential to clock a speed of 140 kmph frequently.

He has also played 35 first-class fixtures, bagging 79 wickets. A fruitful domestic season could witness him representing India alongside the likes of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah.

Rishabh Pant (2018)

Rishabh Pant has become a massive name of late hovering around the Indian side. Pant shot into the limelight, having scored 267 runs in six matches at 44.50 and with a strike rate of 104.50. He was part of Delhi in 2018, finishing as the second-highest run-getter with 684 in the season and the highest among Indians.

The youngster made his Test debut in 2018 and played a crucial role in India’s first Test series victory in Australia in 2019. However, a recent dip in form has the critics questioning the selectors’ and captain’s decision to continue backing him. Seen as the potential successor to MS Dhoni, Pant has to put on plenty of hard work in terms of batting and wicketkeeping.

Shubman Gill (2019)

Shubman Gill is yet another batsman in the pool of impressive talents that India has been producing over the years. The Punjab-born batsman’s calm demeanour along with adaptability to various situations is precisely what the Indian team needs. At only 20 years, Shubman Gill has taken massive strides to become India’s next big thing.

He won the emerging player of the 2019 season for his tally of 296 runs at a strike rate of 124.36 while opening for Kolkata. Gill made his ODI debut in 2019 without making an impressive start. He has also been selected in the Test squad but hasn’t found a spot in the playing eleven. With the youngster knocking hard for a place, a Test cap is not too far.

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