IPL 2021: Mike Hesson Names Three Uncapped Youngsters From Royal Challengers Bangalore To Watch Out For

Royal Challengers Bangalore director of cricket operations Mike Hesson has a star-studded squad in his repertoire consisting of Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Despite that, youngsters like Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar, and Navdeep Saini have also made a mark. As far as the upcoming edition of IPL goes, Mark Hesson has earmarked three uncapped domestic players bought in the IPL 2021 auction to create a lasting impact.

Mike Hesson began with batsman Rajat Patidar, who crafted impactful knocks in the last year’s and this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Hesson remarked that it’s Patidar’s first IPL and a quality batsman, having done well in the domestic circuit and on their radar for the last couple of years. The former New Zealand coach further observed that while Rajat is small in stature, he generates plenty of power and good against both pace and spin. Hesson stated that he showed his skills in the training sessions.

“It’s his (Rajat Patidar) first IPL. He’s 27 years old so he understands the first-class system well. He’s a top-quality batsman. He has done well domestically both in Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare. He’s a guy we’ve watched for two years. He’s smallish in stature but certainly generates a huge amount of power. He’s very good against both pace and pace. He’s a player who has excited us and that’s why we were really keen to get him at the auction. We’ve had our training yesterday and once again he showed those skills,” Hesson said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Mike Hesson moved on to Mohammed Azharuddeen, who he believes grabbed the spotlight, thanks to his blazing hundred in the televised Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The 46-year old feels that Azharuddeen could take the pressure off other players as he is a high-impact batsman, along with being a good keeper, providing a back-up option for AB De Villiers.

“Mohammed Azharuddeen is another one. He’s enterprising, obviously came to the limelight after scoring a hundred against Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali. It was televised, so everybody must have seen what he can do when he’s at his best. He’s been around in the system for a while but this is a huge opportunity for him and he’s one of those high impact players in the tournament who can take the pressure off other players. We talk about developing a batting line-up, we have to focus on players who complement each other. So, he’s an exciting prospect, a very good keeper as well. He gives us another option apart from ABD,” the 46-year old commented.

He’s got a full range of shots, plays 360 around the ground: Mike Hesson

The third player on Mike Hesson’s list is Suyash Pradbhudesai, who is only the fourth IPL player to emerge out of Goa. The Dunedin-born touted the 23-year old as a potent finisher and could play around the ground. Hesson conceded that like Patidar, Suyash is small in stature too but could generate enormous power. He also said that the youngster has improved his fielding and one could expect a better display on that front this year.

“There have only been four players from Goa to come into the IPL and he’s the fourth. An undoubted finisher. He’s got a full range of shots, plays 360 around the ground. Once again quite small in stature but has a huge amount of power. A very good athlete. As far as fielding is concerned, we’ve improved last year but I think you’ll see an even better performance this year,” he added further.

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