This article is part of our IPL Preview series.
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is finally set to get underway from September 19th, 2020.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's edition of the cash-rich T20 league will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) instead of the home country where the health crisis is worsening.
One of the core purposes of organising competitions like the IPL is to promote youngsters and give them a chance to showcase their talent against the very best in the sport.
We are bringing you a list of five young players who might prove to be a surprise package in this year's IPL
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)
First in the list of young players to watch out for in this year's IPL features Yashasvi Jaiswal. The 18-year-old was one of the star performers for India during the U19 World Cup which is why Rajasthan Royals paid a whopping fee of more than $325,000 to sign him. The left-hander has not played a single T20 at the senior level but has an impressive record in his short List A career where he has managed to score 779 runs in just 13 innings at an outstanding average of 70.81 along with a strike-rate of 91.53.
Tom Banton (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Tom Banton is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the world of cricket. The England international joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a sum of more than $135,000. Banton has the ability to score quick runs and change the momentum of the game in the space of few overs. The 21-year-old has played 39 T20s in his short career where he has managed to score 1,091 runs at an impressive average of 30.30 along with an outstanding strike-rate of 155.19, which included once century and eight half-centuries.
Priyam Garg (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Next in the list features young right-handed batsman Priyam Garg. The 19-year-old was signed by the Sunrises Hyderabad for more than $258,000. Garg was the India captain during the previous edition of the U19 World Cup. The right-hander has already played 11 T20s in his short career where he has managed to score 227 runs in 10 innings at an average of 28.37 along with a strike-rate of 132.74.
Sandeep Lamichhane (Delhi Capitals)
Sandeep Lamichhane is now a known face in the world of cricket. The young leg-spinner is just 19 years old but has already taken part in a few of the biggest T20 competitions in the world of cricket. This year, Lamichhane will be taking part in the IPL for the third time and the Delhi team management will be hoping for bigger things from him. On the previous two occasions, the Nepal international has managed to claim just 13 wickets in a total of 35 overs.
Kartik Tyagi (Rajasthan Royals)
Young Kartik Tyagi is another one on the list of young stars to watch out for in this year's IPL. The 19-year-old was signed by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping fee of more than $175,000, largely because of his impressive performances in the U19 World Cup for India. Tyagi can be a skiddy customer as he can bowl over 140 KPH which is a very good pace for a youngster who is still at the very early stage of his career. Interestingly, the right-arm pacer has not played a single T20 match in his career at the highest level and therefore, it will be interesting to see his performance in the upcoming edition.
