IPL emerging players of the year 2008-2019: Where are they now?
IPL has been a platform not just to witness the World’s best players put on a show but also is a big opportunity for youngsters to prove themselves on the biggest stage. The IPL’s motto, “Yatra Pratibha Avsara Prapnotihi”, which means, ‘Where Talent Meets Opportunity’ is also inscribed on the IPL trophy. Over the years IPL has witnessed several scintillating performances. To recognise these youngsters, right from season 1, IPL has had an emerging player of the season award. While a number of players went on to achieve bigger things after winning the award, some players faded away. Let us have a look at where the winners of this award are today.
Sreevats Goswami – 2008
A dashing opener for West Bengal, Sreevats Goswami playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008 was given the honour. Despite scoring just 82 runs in 4 games at a strike rate of 96.47, Goswami won this award for being the best U-19 player at the time. He could never really make much of his talent and currently is the backup keeper for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while continuing to ply his trade for West Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.
Rohit Sharma – 2009
Rohit Sharma, after being declared as the emerging player in 2009, has gone on to have an excellent career. Sharma scored 362 runs in 2009 along with picking up 11 wickets, playing an integral role in Deccan Chargers’ title win. He is today the most successful IPL captain with 4 IPL trophies as the skipper of Mumbai Indians along with being one of the best white-ball players in the World.
Saurabh Tiwary – 2010
The left-handed batsman from Jharkhand made an enormous impact in the IPL with his stint for Mumbai Indians. Tiwary, boasting a mane like MS Dhoni, batted in the same vein and scored 419 runs in 16 matches. He struck 18 sixes in that season. However, after that he could not even post 200 runs in any season. After missing two seasons in 2018 and 2019, he is currently playing for Mumbai once again.
Iqbal Abdullah – 2011
The wily slow left-arm spinner from Mumbai had a dream season in 2011 for Kolkata Knight Riders picking up 16 wickets. Unfortunately, Abdullah couldn’t replicate this performance in the upcoming editions and ended up playing just 30 IPL games in total. Currently, he is without an IPL contract but is doing well in the Ranji Trophy having shifted base to Sikkim in 2019.
Mandeep Singh – 2012
The talented batsman from Punjab played flamboyantly for Kings XI Punjab scoring 432 runs in 16 innings. He had a sensible head and seemed to be an India prospect. He became an important member of RCB in 2015 and even made international debut in T20 in 2016. However, he couldn’t keep up with the intense competition and slowly was dropped off the selector’s radar. Today he is back with the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL while being the skipper of Punjab in the domestic circuit.
Sanju Samson – 2013
One of the most exciting cricketers to have been discovered in 2013 was Sanju Samson. He played aggressive, free-flowing cricket and scored 206 runs in 11 innings and was even handed a T20 international debut in 2015. He has grown in stature every year and continues to be an extremely vital player for Rajasthan Royals. He is now in contention for an India spot regularly and with M.S Dhoni’s retirement, he could become a permanent part of the Indian team.
Axar Patel – 2014
The lanky all-rounder from Gujarat picked up 17 wickets in 2014 with an excellent economy of just 6.13 and was one of the impactful players for KXIP in a year they reached the finals. Over the years, he has developed as an all-rounder and has gone on to play 38 ODIs picking 45 wickets in 11 T20Is as well. While he has not been in contention for the Indian team for quite a while, he is doing well for Delhi Capitals in the IPL and with age on his side, could make a comeback soon enough.
Shreyas Iyer – 2015
Shreyas Iyer, one of the most promising prospects for India today, started his IPL career in 2015 and performed well straight away winning the emerging player of the year award. An aggressive batsman from Mumbai, he went on to score 439 runs in 16 games. He continued performing well as a player and then in 2018, mid-season, he was appointed the captain of Delhi. He has done exceedingly well since then, took them to playoffs in 2019 and even in this season, continues to lead them well.
Mustafizur Rahman – 2016
The only overseas player to have won this award is Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman. He ended up picking 17 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad at an economy of just 6.9. Nicknamed ‘The Fizz’, he played an important role in their 2016 win. However, since then Mustafizur hasn’t been the same, and following a couple of injuries, even lost a bit of pace. Currently, without an IPL contract, he has been playing for Bangladesh regularly.
Basil Thampi – 2017
Basil Thampi made the world take notice by bowling regularly in excess of 140km/hr in the 2017 season for Gujarat Lions. He picked up 11 wickets in 12 games and regularly rattled batsmen with his pace. He had a good ability to bowl yorkers as well. However, since then he has fallen off the radar quite a bit. He continues to play well for Kerala in domestic cricket and has been a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad for a couple of years., though without playing much.
Rishabh Pant – 2018
The dashing left-hander set the IPL on fire in 2018 as he went on a rampage scoring 684 runs in 14 games including a brilliant 128*for Delhi Capitals. He went on to become a permanent member of the Indian team and even scored a century each on the tours to England and Australia. However, poor shot selection and temperament has left his position in the team vulnerable and in this year’s IPL he will be looking to establish his position once again.
Shubman Gill – 2019
A young, elegant batsman from Punjab, Gill is touted to be the next big thing in Indian cricket. Last season he scored 296 runs in 14 innings including 3 delightful half-centuries. He has a calm head on his shoulders, and although he has played 2 ODIs for India, they were without much success. Nevertheless, he is surely one to watch out for in the coming years.
