India is the second most populated country in the world, where there is no shortage of talent but only opportunities. Unfortunately, in a sport like Cricket, only eleven players can represent a team out of a country with cricketers in numbers of millions.
Therefore, we have seen tons of potentially able candidates of the International level, slog away at the domestic level, after given minimal or no opportunities to represent the country.
The likes Wasim Jaffer, Abhishek Nayar, Subramaniam Badrinath and Amol Muzumdar, are all players with tremendous abilities who could not make it big at the international level, due to the sheer quality of the first choice Indian side over the years.
Therefore, the potential within the domestic circuit is as such, that India can make another team of International quality, with the abundant reserves of untapped talent.
Here, we look at some of the players who, on the basis of their performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), can build another Indian team of their own, without the services of superstars like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Suryakumar Yadav
The second highest run-getter in the tournament so far, Suryakumar Yadav, toiled hard for the Mumbai team, apart from performing well at limited opportunities provided at KKR and Mumbai Indians down the order.
This time around, SK Yadav is enjoying his new role as an opener at Mumbai Indians this year.
The Mumbaikar looks game ready for the International stage presently, trying his luck at the Indian XI from the ‘A’ side.
Robin Uthappa
One of the greatest travesties in Indian cricket is the fate of Robin Uthappa, who just couldn’t make the cut into the national side often even after accumulating loads of runs at domestic and IPL cricket.
Uthappa got forgotten since the Zimbabwe series in 2015 where BCCI had sent their second string squad.
However, this season as well, he has looked destructive, and ready to put on the blues again, with heaps of experience behind him.
Sanju Samson
Young Sanju Samson overawed many in the global cricketing community, with his strokeplay in the IPL, leaving some baffled, as to why he hasn’t found a place in the Indian team in all formats of the game, even after all these years.
Samson, this season, continues to amaze everyone with his talent and stroke-making for the Rajasthan Royals.
It is now only a matter of time before we see him in the blues of India, at least in the limited overs format.
Ambati Rayudu
Another interesting career graph prevalent in Indian cricket is that of Ambati Rayudu. He came into the limelight captaining the likes of Raina’s, Dhawan’s and Dinesh Karthik‘s during the U19 World Cup of 2004.
From there on, his career derailed towards the rebel ICL, which introduced the concept of city-based franchise cricket theory.
After receiving amnesty from BCCI, he went on to represent India, after impressive performances for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, only to be neglected again after the Zimbabwe series in 2015.
This season, Rayudu turned out to be a revelation in the season with the orange cap, representing Chennai Super Kings. Thereby, making a statement that he is ready to don the national colours yet again.
Mandeep Singh
A regular feature in the Indian ‘A’, Mandeep Singh impressed one and all with his flamboyant strokeplay over many seasons of the IPL.
Even in this season, Kohli has been dependent on the Punjab batsman for delivering the finishing blows.
RCB decided to go for Mandeep yet again this season, proving his essence in the team.
Krunal Pandya
With Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel in the scheme of things for the Indian team, it would be difficult for his elder brother to find a spot in the Indian side.
Krunal proved his essence for the Mumbai Indians for almost three seasons now. Many expect him to make the cut into the Indian squad soon.
Yusuf Pathan
Former Indian international, Yusuf Pathan, is a match-winner on his day. With heaps of experience, he has only gone better, as witnessed in the recent games for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Pathan, during his stint with the Indian team, had helped India win several matches.
It is a matter of travesty that both Pathan brothers could not serve Indian cricket for long despite their potential.
Piyush Chawla
The third highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL, Piyush Chawla, has gone about doing his job almost unnoticed.
Former Indian international, Piyush Chawla, still has what it takes to bamboozle even the best batsman to date.
Plus, going by the recent trend of wrist-spinners, Chawla can make it to the alternative Indian team.
Sandeep Sharma
One of the best servants of the Kings XI Punjab franchise in the past, Sandeep Sharma, has made a move down south in Hyderabad.
The fast bowler from Punjab is currently doing the hard yards in domestic as well as India ‘A’ circuit.
Sandeep is currently in queue for the national side, with the precious bench strength present in the country.
Dhawal Kulkarni
The other DK in the Indian cricket, Dhawal Kulkarni, very seldom has been given a chance in the national side, despite tremendous performances over the years.
Barring this season, DK has been difficult to dispatch by even the best of batters, with his uncanny ability to take wickets.
Siddharth Kaul
Coming outside the shadows of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddharth Kaul has made an identity of his own for the Sunrisers, to become a premier death bowler.
Also, he is in the race for the Purple Cap with 12 wickets to his name. Moreover, he is knocking at the selectors’ doors, being a part of the India ‘A’ team.
*The numbers are updated as of May 6th, 2017