These new entrants will seek to enhance their budding reputations...
Rachin Ravindra (Country: NZ, IPL franchise: CSK) Had a fabulous ODI World Cup, going on to tie the record with Kane Williamson for highest runs by a New Zealander in a WC. Has continued the good form in Tests and T20Is. CSK signed him for Rs 1.8 cr and Devon Conway’s thumb injury means he will open with new captain Gaikwad.
Gerald Coetzee (SA; MI) Took 20 wickets in 8 games (SR 19.05) in the ODI WC.
A pacer who can hit the 150kph mark, he can also give the ball a whack with bat in hand.
Azmatullah Omarzai (Afg; GT) Could be an ideal replacement for Hardik Pandya with his allround skills. His swing bowling in the ODI WC match against Australia was remarkable to watch.
Shamar Joseph (WI; LSG) An out-and-out fast bowler, Joseph made a name for himself during the Test series against Australia. His seven-wicket haul in the second Test gave West Indies a Test victory on Australian soil after 27 long years. The sensational show has earned him an LSG contract.
Nuwan Thushara (SL; MI) His action resembles the legendary Lasith Malinga’s. A recent hat-trick on his way to a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in Sylhet just raised his stock. Thushara will have bowling coach Malinga in the Mumbai Indians dugout to guide him.
Spencer Johnson (Aus; GT) Johnson is 6 feet 4 inches tall and generates pace upwards of 140kph. The left-arm quick is already highly sought after in the world of T20 leagues, plying his trade in the Big Bash, The Hundred, Major League Cricket and Global T20 Canada. He will turn up for Gujarat Titans hoping to make a big impact this season.
Jake Fraser-McGurk (Aus; DC) One of the most talented young batters in Australia, he was roped in by Delhi Capitals as replacement for the injured Lungi Ngidi. In October last year, the 21-year-old broke AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest century in a List ‘A’ game, getting to his hundred off just 29 balls against a strong Tasmanian team at the Marsh One Day Cup.
Kumar Kushagra (India; DC) The Jharkhand wicketkeeperbatsman, 19, is known for hitting big sixes and was bought by Capitals for Rs 7.20 cr at the IPL auction. DC’s director of cricket Sourav Ganguly was impressed with Kushagra’s ball-striking ability during one of the trials conducted by the franchise.
Sameer Rizvi (India; CSK) Known as the right-handed Suresh Raina in UP, Rizvi can dominate spin. CSK spent Rs 8.4 cr for the 20-year-old at the IPL auction. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, he smashed 75 off 46 balls, including 5 maximums, against Tamil Nadu.
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