Exclusive: Best Uncapped Players 11 Eligible to Debut for Team India
Rahul Tripathi and Arshdeep Singh, the two promising talents as we look at the best uncapped players 11 eligible to debut for Team India.
Ever since COVID-19 hit the world in 2019, the dynamics in the game of cricket changed completely. To make sure players don’t get bio bubble fatigue, the Indian Team management has been looking for more potential players that could reduce the burden on the senior players.
This gave rise to a lot of players making their debuts for Team India. Since Jan 2020, 14 players in ODIs, 15 players in T20Is, and 7 players in Tests have made their debuts for Team India. As compared to the previous period between 2018 and 2019, only 9 players in ODIs, 10 players in T20Is and 7 players in Tests debuted for Team India.
The BCCI selectors usually look for IPL and other domestic tournaments in search of promising youngsters. While Ranji, SMAT, and VHT are important, it is IPL that drives most of the selection. With the second phase of 2022 approaching, there are still a lot of players waiting to get selected for the Indian team.
So, on that note, let’s look at the best uncapped players 11 that is eligible to play for Team India. Please note, that for the selection of the players, we have considered the performance in IPL and other domestic tournaments in India.
Openers: Rahul Tripathi & Yashasvi Jaiswal
The first two names on the list are two potential openers, Rahul Tripathi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rahul Tripathi is one of the best-performing openers in IPL currently. In fact, he has the most number of runs in IPL by an uncapped player. While he is already selected in the Indian squad, it won’t be far before we see him in the playing 11 as well.
Talking about Yashasvi Jaiswal, he is one of the hottest youngsters in India at the moment. Be it IPL, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, or Ranji Trophy, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been performing everywhere. With such determination and skill, and an ability to bowl as well, Yashasvi should soon make his way to the national squad. Hopefully, another successful season can make his path easier.
Middle-order: KS Bharat, Tilak Varma, Sarfaraz Khan & Rinku Singh
KS Bharat is one of the hottest names in Test cricket at the moment. Having already been a part of the Indian Test Team, KS Bharat could actually debut against England in the 5th Test match. Primarily a backup wicket-keeper for Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat showed good technique in the Warm-up match vs Leicestershire. If Rohit Sharma doesn’t recover, KS Bharat could well be in contention for opening alongside Shubman Gill.
Talking about Tilak Varma, the 19-year-old Southpaw from Hyderabad impressed everyone with his temperament while playing for Mumbai Indians. He amassed 397 runs from 14 innings in only his debut IPL season. This is huge for a player who is playing in a star-studded lineup of Rohit, Kishan, SKY, and Pollard. With Team India needing lefties in the middle-order, Tilak Varma could be one of the names that will soon get a chance to play for Team India.
Talking about lower middle-order, there is no other better player than Sarfaraz Khan at the moment. Undoubtedly the best performer in the last two Ranji seasons, Sarfaraz Khan could well be under the radar of the selectors for the Test Team against Bangladesh at home. He deserves this opportunity after being the most impressive youngster in Ranji Trophy. He is also an attacking batter and can play a role of a finisher for the Indian Team.
Just like Sarfaraz Khan, Rinku Singh has been an amazing performer in Ranji Trophy in the last two seasons. In addition, his short but sweet performance in IPL 2022 proves he is ready for the big stage. The best thing about Rinku is a left-hander finisher. This is a rare quality in India currently, and another good season should see Rinku debut for India.
All-rounders: Rahul Tewatia & Shahbaz Ahmed
Coming to the all-rounders, Rahul Tewatia is another uncapped all-rounder that will be under selectors’ radar if keeps performing the way he did in IPL 2022. He was selected in the squad for the Sri Lanka series in 2021, but didn’t get a game to play. But his perseverance and determination have always been impressive. Another good season could see Tewatia back in the hunt for the national team selection.
The second all-rounder of the team, Shahbaz Ahmed seems a promising talent. The talented left-arm-spinner from Bengal and a solid lower-order batter, Shahbaz has been impressive in 2022 Ranji Trophy as well as IPL. He can act as a good backup for Jadeja as both play a similar role. However, Shahbaz might have a wait for another IPL and Ranji season before he gets an opportunity.
Pacers: Mohsin Khan, Arshdeep Singh & Kuldeep Sen
Talking about pacers, Mohsin Khan seems to be an emerging prospect. His stunning pace, seam position, and a controlled line and length made him one of the pacers to watch out for in IPL 2022. It is also reflected in his performance where his economy rate of 5.96 was the lowest among bowlers with 10+ wickets. Mohsin’s differentiator is his left-arm action, which is much needed for Team India at the moment.
The second pace is Arshdeep Singh, who has been travelling with the Indian Team for a few series. However, he is yet to get an opportunity in the playing 11. Arshdeep offers swing upfront and is one of the best death overs bowlers in Team India. Given the skills he brings to the table, his time will come soon to feature in the playing 11.
The final pacer on the list is Kuldeep Sen, who also impressed during his debut IPL season for Rajasthan Royals. Another talent that has superb free-flowing action and bowls in the late 140s and early 150s. While these are still young days for Kuldeep Sen, his potential seems upright. If he can maintain his rhythm, his selection for the Indian team will come soon.
Best Uncapped Players 11 Eligible to debut for Team India:
Rahul Tripathi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KS Bharat (WK), Tilak Varma, Sarfaraz Khan, Rinku Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohsin Khan, Arshdeep Singh & Kuldeep Sen
Thanks for reading! What’s your uncapped players 11 that can play for Team India? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com
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Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
