The Uttarakhand cricket squad is one of the more recent additions to the Indian domestic tournament, having debuted in the 2018-2019 season and players are now getting a chance in IPL too now.
Despite the late start, the team has made an early impression in Ranji Trophy tournaments. In one season out of four seasons, they advanced to the quarterfinals. They have also begun to flourish in white-ball events, resulting in the rise of numerous great cricketers.
Akash Madhwal, a 29-year-old cricketer from the state is an example. With his superb bowling, he has lit up the second half of the present IPL season.
Madhwal made his Uttarakhand debut in the 2019-20 season. In 2022-23, he had an outstanding Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, taking nine wickets in seven games at an average of 20 and an economy rate of 7.20 runs per over. He was also selected Uttarakhand’s captain for the 2022-23 season.
In 2019, Akash Madhwal was first signed as a net bowler for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Due to Suryakumar Yadav’s injury, he was later inducted into Mumbai Indians (MI) team for the 2022 season.
The bright kid did not receive an opportunity until the second part of IPL 2023, and he has not looked back since. Madhwal made his debut against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in MI’s eighth game of the season. He has taken 13 wickets this season till now at an average of 12.85 and an economy rate of 7.77.
Madhwal has 12 wickets in MI’s previous four games, including an amazing 5/5 in the Eliminator against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The 29-year-old also took four wickets in MI’s last season game against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), helping the team to qualify for the playoffs.
Madhwal is one of the numerous outstanding cricketers from Uttarakhand who have been staking claims to play in the IPL.
Let’s take a look at three Uttarakhand players who, deserve to play in the IPL like Akash Madhwal.
1) Rajan Kumar
Rajan Kumar, a 26-year-old left-arm medium-fast bowler, was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for 70 lakhs during the mini-auction before the 2023 season.
In October 2022, the kid made his first-class debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and showed a lot of potential.
Rajan was the leading wicket-taker, taking 10 wickets in seven matches at an average of 15.90 and an economy rate of 5.88.
The left-arm pacer has shown a desire to bowl quickly, achieving speeds of 160 KMPH like his idol Mitchell Starc.
With left-arm pacers being one of the most expensive commodities, Rajan Kumar should make his IPL debut for RCB soon, given the team’s lack of local left-arm pace bowling alternatives.
2) Avneesh Sudha
Avneesh Sudha, 21, is one of the most reliable T20 openers coming up through the ranks in Uttarakhand.
In 2018-2019 season, the youngster made his first-class debut for Uttarakhand. In the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022-23, he enjoyed a breakout season.
Sudha led the team in scoring with 271 runs at an average of 38.71 and a strike rate of 126.04. This includes a spectacular 96 off 66 against Mumbai in the last group-stage match, which nearly single-handedly won Uttarakhand the game.
Several young uncapped openers, such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prabhsimran Singh, have impressed in the current IPL season, and Avneesh might be the next to break through.
Avneesh also gave a part-time bowling option with his right-arm off-breaks, as indicated by his 17 first-class wickets.
3) Kunal Chandela
Kunal Chandela is one of the most seasoned domestic batters in the game. The teenager began his first-class career for Delhi in 2017 before going to Uttarakhand in 2021.
Middle-order batsmen from India have become some of the most sought-after commodities in the IPL, with most clubs looking for indigenous talent to bat with spinners in the middle overs.
The 28-year-old right-handed hitter had an outstanding first-class season in all formats for Uttarakhand. Despite batting in the middle order, Chandela smashed 152 runs with a strike rate of 143.39 and an average of 30.40.
Chandela had a fantastic Ranji season as well, hitting 555 runs in 12 innings at an average of 50.45, including a century and three half-centuries.
Chandela’s flexibility, which allows him to play twin roles of anchoring the innings and attacking the bowling when necessary, might come in useful for multiple IPL sides.