CHENNAI: Kolkata Knight Riders triumphed over Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets, clinching their third Indian Premier League title(IPL).
Here are five young talents who made a significant impact this season.
Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia)-IPL
Jake Fraser-McGurk dazzled in his debut IPL season for Delhi Capitals. The 22-year-old opener, stepping in for the injured Lungi Ngidi, scored 330 runs in nine matches with a strike rate of over 234.
His fearless batting earned praise from Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly. Fraser-McGurk’s performance led to his inclusion as a traveling reserve for Australia’s T20 World Cup squad. Ponting called him “a serious talent,” and Ganguly sees a bright future for the “game-changer.”
Abhishek Sharma (India)
Abhishek Sharma, a 23-year-old left-hander, played a pivotal role in Hyderabad’s journey to the final. He amassed 484 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of over 200, forming a strong opening partnership with Travis Head.
His left-arm spin also contributed, taking two crucial wickets against Rajasthan Royals. Despite his success, Abhishek did not make India’s World Cup squad. Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins praised him, saying, “He’s amazing and scary to bowl against.”
Will Jacks (England)
Will Jacks shone for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, securing his spot in England’s World Cup squad. His 41-ball 100 against Gujarat Titans was a standout, even outshining Virat Kohli in their 166-run partnership.
Kohli called Jacks’ performance “phenomenal.” Jacks scored 230 runs in eight matches, playing a key role in Bengaluru reaching the play-offs.
Tristan Stubbs (South Africa)-IPL
Tristan Stubbs, bought by Delhi for $60,000, emerged as a top “finisher” despite his team finishing sixth. The 23-year-old had the highest final-overs strike rate in IPL history at 297.33 for a minimum of 100 runs.
Former cricketer Tom Moody praised his finishing skills. Stubbs ended the season with an unbeaten 25-ball 57 against Lucknow Super Giants and aims to continue his form into the World Cup.
Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka)
Nicknamed “Baby Malinga,” Matheesha Pathirana impressed for Chennai Super Kings with his death-over bowling. The 21-year-old took 13 wickets in six games before a hamstring injury cut his season short.
His absence was felt as Chennai missed the play-offs. Pathirana’s slinging action has drawn comparisons to Lasith Malinga. He is now fit and expected to lead Sri Lanka’s attack at the World Cup.