IPL 2024: R. Ashwin to Hardik Pandya - how IPL brought uncapped players under spotlight

IPL as talent pipeline | Indian cricketers who came into the limelight through the Indian Premier League include fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and off-spinner R. Ashwin who was instrumental in India's 2024 Test series win against England. (Illustration by Suneesh K.)

5 India players who got their mega break in IPL

- Jasprit Bumrah (Debut season: 2013, Mumbai Indians)

- Suryakumar Yadav (Debut season: 2012, Mumbai Indians)

- R Ashwin (Debut season: 2009, Chennai Super Kings)

- Hardik Pandya (Debut season: 2015, Mumbai Indians)

- Yuzvendra Chahal (Debut season: 2013, Mumbai Indians)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a cricketing behemoth. It has been producing world-class T20 stars for years. Some of them are all-format players. IPL brought them to the limelight and guided them to the national team. Here's a look at four international cricketers whose career gained steam from the IPL:

Jasprit Bumrah (Debut season: 2013, Mumbai Indians)

Right-arm fast Bumrah was raw. He had swing and pace. Dismissing Virat Kohli in his debut game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore turned a few heads. His speed and toe-crushing yorkers fast-tracked him into the Indian team. He grew simultaneously with India and Mumbai Indians (MI). Bumrah has 145 wickets in 120 matches and is a strong pillar in MI. He has also played for India in Test and T20I matches.

Suryakumar Yadav (Debut season: 2012, Mumbai Indians)

SKY, as he is now known, is India's Mr 360. He can smash all around the park. He didn't get too many games with MI from 2012, and thus moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His ability to scoop and ramp the ball got noticed. The career took off after he returned to MI in 2018 and scored 500+ runs. Now, he is the No 1 T20I batsman with over 2,000 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin (Debut season: 2009, Chennai Super Kings)

Ashwin was instrumental in Chennai Super Kings's (CSK's) titles in 2010 and 2011. He picked up 13 wickets in 12 matches in his second season and earned a national call-up. The off-spinner is known for his range of deliveries, including a carrom-ball, an arm ball and a slider. The 37-year-old from Tamil Nadu played his 100th Test match in March 2024 against England - he's picked up his 516 Test wickets across 189 innings between 2011 and March 2024. He has 171 IPL wickets, too. Currently, he represents Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Hardik Pandya (Debut season: 2015, Mumbai Indians)

Pandya is one of the finest all-rounders to emerge from the IPL. He did play a part in handing Baroda a victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, but success in the IPL with MI turned him into an overnight star. Pandya carried the form to Gujarat Titans and led them to the title in the first season, a rare feat. Soon, he was appointed India's T20I captain. Pandya will be leading MI in IPL 2024. He replaced Rohit Sharma.

Yuzvendra Chahal (Debut season: 2013, Mumbai Indians)

Chahal played six matches for MI in the Champions League T20 in 2011, but appeared in only once in the IPL. The leg-spinner shot to fame after his heroics in RCB colours. He was Virat Kohli's go-to man for wickets. Chahal spent eight seasons in RCB (2014-2021). He made his international debut during this phase and claimed 121 ODI and 96 T20I wickets in seven years. Last year, Chahal became the highest wicket taker in IPL history - with 187 wickets across 145 matches. He will play for the Royals again this year, and will be looking to complete 200 wickets in the upcoming season.