India's young guns make their mark in IPL

PLACE FOR NEW TALENT: IPL has given lesser-known Indian players a chance to play with the best.

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Keywords: Indian Premier League, Cricket

Yusuf Pathan:

He has finally been able to come out of the shadows of his younger brother Irfan. Yusuf has been a prolific scorer in domestic cricket and has already belted some of the big sixes seen in the championship as the Rajasthan Royals opener.

Yusuf is a clean striker of the ball and has an entertainment value to his batting. His 34-ball 68 against Deccan Chargers is one of the best knocks of the tournament. In nine matches, Yusuf has stacked up 239 runs with three fifties.

Abhishek Nayar:

The Mumbai Indians team might be studded with star players like Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock, but Abhishek Nayar, with his gritty performance, has made sure that he is a vital member of the team.

The Mumbai Indians batting line-up failed in the first few matches of the tournament and it was left to Abhishek to take the fight to the opposition camp.

Nayar, scored a whirlwind 45 against Super Kings and together with Harbhajan Singh had almost hauled the stiff target of 208.

He played a crucial role in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy win in 2006 but in the IPL, Nayar has shown the stomach to fight and the temperament to go with it.

Ravindra Jadeja:

Jadeja has been more than a useful bat for Rajasthan Royals lower down the order. The all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls orthodox spin is an attacking player and has often bailed his team out from difficult position.

Jadeja is particularly impressive with his quick footwork and pounces on loose deliveries. He played a match-winning 25-ball 36 against the Kings XI Punjab attack comprising Brett Lee, Sreesanth, James Hopes and Irfan Pathan.

Dinesh Salunkhe:

The leg-spinner of Rajasthan Royals hardly has any experience in domestic cricket. Salunkhe, the winner of the Mumbai leg of cricket star contest, is a good turner of the ball and has played a crucial role in Royals' attack.

Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne has been effusive in praise of youngsters Ravindra Jadeja and Dinesh Salunkhe.

"Ravindra Jadeja and Dinesh Salunkhe are talented and are the superstars in the making," the Australian spin legend keeps harping.