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Over the years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been responsible for identifying several talents from a variety of fields...
Digital Desk: Over the years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been responsible for introducing several talents. Aside from the local track, the skill pool among the franchises in the tournament has proven to be an excellent option for selectors to explore.
To locate a long-term finisher, the selection committee may be obliged to return to the IPL. With Hardik Pandya seemingly elevated to the middle order and Dinesh Karthik looking out of the picture, finding and cultivating a finisher becomes critical in time for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
A strong finishing could be crucial as Team India strives to change their strategy in the shortest format. The forthcoming edition of the IPL might very well be an audition for the candidates, who can mostly seek to secure their spot on the national side if they have a solid series of performances for their respective franchises in the lower-middle order.
Here are five main candidates for the Indian team based on their finishing skills in IPL 2023:
1| Rajasthan Royals - Riyan Parag
The Assam-born player has had a fantastic domestic season and is making a strong case following a disappointing IPL 2022 campaign. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 253 runs in seven matches with a strike rate of 165.36, helping Assam finish fourth in Elite Group A.
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) paid 3.8 crores to repurchase Riyan Parag during the mega-auction.
The upcoming IPL season could be crucial for the youngster if he wants to grasp the opportunity. Aside from his finishing, Parag's bowling and gun fielding abilities could be useful to any team.
The all-rounder recently went berserk against Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy group stage. He showcased his T20 abilities in whites with a 78-run knockoff in 28 deliveries.
2| Punjab Kings - Shahrukh Khan
The savage striker was set to have a historic season in 2022 after being signed by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the mega-auction for a fee of 9 crores. After a string of poor performances, he failed to restore their trust.
Shahrukh Khan had a disappointing season, scoring 117 runs in eight innings with a strike rate of 108.33. The 27-year-old got a second chance after the organisation decided to keep him ahead of the 2023 IPL mini-auction.
A big season with a better PBKS unit could speed his rise to the Indian team. The Tamil Nadu hitter was nominated to the Indian squad's standby list for the home series against the West Indies in early 2022.
3| Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abdul Samad
The rounder's six-hitting talent drew everyone's attention in IPL 2020. His struggles with the bat echoed Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) inability to get off to a good start in the previous two editions.
Despite a career strike rate of 142 in the competition, Abdul Samad's average is only 14, and he has failed to secure a spot in the team.
The Jammu and Kashmir-born player faces an uphill battle to get into the starting XI consistently, but a solid run of form in a couple of games could turn things around for the youngster.
During the 2022 season, he only made two appearances and scored five runs.
An encouraging series of performances at the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy could be the boost of confidence he needs to carry his performances to the greatest stage.
A strong season for the all-rounder, similar to his state teammate Umran Malik, could help him break into the national team.
4| Jitesh Sharma from Punjab Kings
In the previous edition of the competition, the Vidarbha player surprised everyone. He made his debut against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and his energetic, electrifying presence proved to be a stimulant in the batting unit, especially with Shahrukh Khan and Odean Smith struggling with the bat.
Jitesh Sharma appeared in 12 games during the season, scoring 234 runs at a strike rate of 163.64. His ability to get going and fondness for unconventional strokes make him an ideal candidate as a finisher, assuming he can maintain his technique. With his wicket-keeping ability, he adds another depth to his game.
Jitesh was influential in Vidharbha reaching the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy finals in 2022. With 46 runs in the final versus Mumbai, he led his team to victory. However, all was in vain as Mumbai finished as the clear winner.
5| Rinku Singh from Kolkata Knight Riders
Rinku Singh had to wait a long time for a steady run in the two-time champions' starting XI. He was mostly used as a pinch hitter in his first two seasons with the team, and he only got a few chances.
However, the Uttar Pradesh-born player demonstrated his potential during a strong second half of the 2022 season. In seven games, he scored 174 runs at a strike rate of 148.72. Rinku was later retained by the team and is expected to play an important part in the following edition.
Rinku, a left-handed batsman with a superb bat swing, exhibited all of these aspects in his most recent IPL knock. His cameo of 40 runs off 18 deliveries almost snatched a win from the jaws of loss for KKR.
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