Top 5 Uncapped players who have earned the most in the IPL
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Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is arguably the biggest cricketing extravaganza and the tournament brings together cricketers from a plethora of places. The league in its 13-year history has helped unearth an abundance of talents by kickstarting their careers and displaying them for the world to see.
While the overseas stars and the popular Indian ones form the crucial part of the tournament, one can not ignore domestic, uncapped players who, despite the lack of big match experience, shine in the IPL and make their name known. The Emerging Player Award which is given every year, while not specifically for uncapped players, is still won more often than not by them. Nearly every team in the IPL plays with an uncapped cricketer in the playing XI. It is therefore safe to say that uncapped players are an integral part of the IPL.
Now, these uncapped players are spotted by scouts and coaches before being marked to be bought at the auction. It isn’t surprising these days to see uncapped players going for big money at the auction. Such uncapped stars who have never got to play for India have still earned fat paychecks because of their teams’ interest in buying and availing of their raw and talented services. Here are the top 5 uncapped players who have earned the most during the course of the IPL’s history.
5. Suryakumar Yadav – 12.7 crores
30-year-old Maharashtra batsman Suryakumar Yadav’s presence in this list should come as no surprise. He has been one of the most consistent players in the IPL for nearly 7 years. Despite the fact that the right-handed batsman has never flattered to deceive, he has never got a look-in by the Indian national team.
Suryakumar played just one match for Mumbai Indians (MI) after he was bought for 10 lakhs in 2012. He was then sold to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for whom Surya impressed from 2014-2017. He then returned to his home, MI with a huge deal of 3.2 crores and since then has played a key role in the side’s two IPL triumphs. This year was arguably the year that catapulted him into firm contention for the Indian national team. A call-up could arrive anytime for Surya.
4. Deepak Hooda – 16.9 crores
Deepak Hooda has been one of the most highest-rated big-hitters in the Indian domestic scene. The Baroda all-rounder has played in the IPL right from 2014 and despite the fact that he seems to have been around for a long time, Hooda is only 25 years of age. The right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler has played for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).
Hooda’s biggest money move at the auction was in 2016 when SRH signed him up for 4.2 crores. SRH’s faith was rewarded as Hooda played a good hand in helping them win the IPL title that year. Following his move to KXIP this year, Hooda struggled to find game-time but delivered in his side’s last game with an explosive 62* against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
3. Ishan Kishan – 19.3 crores
Highly-rated wicket-keeper batsman and former India U-19 captain Ishan Kishan was a hot prospect by the time he went into the IPL auctions in 2016. He was picked up by the now-defunct Gujarat Lions (GL) but Kishan couldn’t reward his team’s faith as well as he would have liked. He was then picked up by the Mumbai Indians (MI) for a whopping sum of 6.2 crores.
After a decent 2018 and a disappointing 2019 season, Kishan came into his own during the 2020 season leading his side to the title with one good performance after another throughout the course of the tournament. The left-handed batsman played an instrumental role in helping his side clinch a record 5th IPL title. What’s even more stunning is he is only 22 years old. An Indian team call-up could arrive soon for Ishan Kishan.
2. Manan Vohra – 19.8 crores
Former Punjab and current Chhattisgarh batsman Manan Vohra was considered the next big thing for Indian cricket when he arrived on the scene. Picked up by Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and getting paid a huge amount of 4 crores as salary, Vohra delivered during the 2014 IPL as he scored 324 runs in just 8 matches.
However, his form faded away soon enough and the opener was deemed surplus to requirements by KXIP and sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) where Vohra got just 4 games. He was then picked up by Rajasthan Royals (RR) and despite calls from fans to give him chances in the playing XI, he hasn’t got to play a single match for his new franchise over the course of the last two years.
1. Krishnappa Gowtham – 20.6 crores
Karnataka all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham is the uncapped player who has earned the most in IPL history. An interesting point here is that, Gowtham has played just 24 games over the course of the IPL. Despite this, Gowtham has always gone for huge money in every auction he has been a part of.
Initially picked up by Mumbai Indians (MI) for 2 crores, the right-arm off-spinner didn’t get a single game for the franchise. He was then picked up by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a huge amount of 6.2 crores and for whom the 32-year old played 22 games picking up 12 wickets and scoring 144 runs. He was then traded to Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and in the two matches he got to shine this year, Gowtham couldn’t deliver.
Also Read: Top 5 Indian bowlers with the highest wickets against Australia in T20Is
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Nevin Clinton
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