IPL 2026: Rookies From Whom We Have Great Expectations

Young players will get opportunities and therefore, expectations will be high from there

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a platform for youngsters to prove their mettle with the hope that one day they will get to wear the blue jersey of the Indian national team. This season will be no different as several rookies will walk out to the field for their first ever IPL game.

To be honest, given how talented India’s grassroot level cricket is, it is tough to pinpoint on one or two youngsters but with great salaries come great expectations and therefore, here are the players from whom we believe teams will expect at least a few decent innings, be it with the ball or the bat.

Kartik Sharma

Kartik Sharma’s name is already making rounds on the internet since the day he was picked up by the Chennai Super Kings for a whopping price-tag of INR 14.20 crore. Sharma who represents Rajasthan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy grabbed headlines when he made 133 runs at a strike rate of 160. His domestic returns are serious for a 19-year-old: 479 first-class runs, 445 List A runs, and 334 T20 runs at a strike rate of 162.92. That mix of temperament plus T20 intent makes him a very strong breakout candidate if CSK trust him early.

Prashant Veer

Chennai Super Kings did not splurge big moolah on just one youngster but two youngsters. Apart from Kartik Sharma, Chennai also picked Veer for INR 14.20 crore. Veer’s numbers explain the hype: in T20s, he has 112 runs at a strike rate of 167.16 and 12 wickets in nine matches. A young Indian all-rounder who can bowl left-arm spin and finish innings is exactly the kind of profile that can force his way into the XI quickly.

Tejasvi Singh Dahiya

Purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 3 crore, Tejasvi Singh Dahiya is a 23-year-old wicketkeeper batsman with terrific performance in the Delhi Premier League. Dahiya has eight List A and two T20s under his belt with an average of 36.80 and 56.50, respectively. Dahiya is coached by Sanjay Bharadwaj, the guru of Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, Joginder Sharma, Unmukt Chand, Nitish Rana and Priyansh Arya so great things are expected from him.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius

Last but not least, Lhuan-dre Pretorius is another player from whom we have great expectations. Technically, Pretorius is not making his debut because he did play one match last season after getting signed as replacement of Nitish Rana by Rajasthan Royals. However, South Africa’s youngest centurion deserves to be on this list because of his international exposure at a young age. To be honest, Pretorius doesn’t fit into the description of a rookie but in the IPL, he is one and therefore, we added him into this lot.

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