IPL 2022: Cricket.com's Uncapped XI of the Tournament

IPL 2022 has seen a lot of emerging talent in the domestic circle. There were numerous pacers who grabbed the headlines and batters who either had enough reputation but were in the waiting list for a national team call-up. As always, they got their due in the IPL, the biggest stage for any player to prove themselves.

While some were rewarded with maiden call-ups to the senior team, there are still a few who might take some time to get there. Here’s our Uncapped XI of the recently-concluded season:

Abhishek Sharma

Inn - 14 | Runs - 426 | Avg - 30.43 | SR - 133.1 | 50s - 2

After playing a total of 19 matches since 2019 at Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Punjab batter was given a bigger role at the top of the order in 2022 and he made the most of it. He was the chief aggressor with captain Kane Williamson playing a supporting role. The left-hander hit the ground running with a composed 75 off 50 balls against Chennai Super Kings to kickstart SRH’s five-match winning streak and contributed with crucial knocks. He amassed a total of 426 runs from 14 matches at an average of 30.43 and a strike rate of 133.1. Though his form fizzled out in the latter parts of the tournament, SRH as a team had run out of steam by then. Nevertheless, his value of Rs 6.5 Crore is set to go up if Hyderabad don’t opt to retain him next season.

Rajat Patidar

Inn - 7 | Runs - 333 | Avg - 55.5 | SR - 152.8 | 50s - 2 | 100s - 1

Brought in as a replacement for injured Luvnith Sisodia after two matches, Patidar proved to be far more valuable than his base price of Rs 20 Lakh. He amassed 333 runs in the seven innings he got to bat, including a sensational 112 not out against Lucknow Super Giants in the playoffs which helped Royal Challengers Bangalore cross the Eliminator stage. His contributions included a fighting 52 off 32 balls against Gujarat Titans and a match-winning 48 off 38 balls against SRH kept RCB in contention for the playoffs spot. He also scored a 42-ball 58 in the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals.

Rahul Tripathi (Captain)

Inn - 14 | Runs - 413 | Avg - 37.55 | SR - 158.2 | 50s - 3

Arguably one of the best top-order batters in the IPL, Tripathi picked up where he left off last season with Kolkata Knight Riders. After being bought by SRH for Rs 8.5 Crore in the IPL 2022 mega auction, Tripathi proved his worth with consistent performances. He was the fulcrum of their batting order with 413 runs from 14 innings at an average of 37.55 and strike rate of 158.2. His calmness and experience makes him the captain of our uncapped XI.

Tilak Varma

Inn - 14 | Runs - 397 | Avg - 36.09 | SR - 131 | 50s - 2

Mumbai Indians had the worst IPL season. With just four wins, they finished at the bottom of the table. They were undone by fragile batting at the top but Tilak Varma looked like batting on a different plane. The 19-year old amassed 397 runs from 14 innings at an average of 36 at a strike rate of 131. The Hyderabad left-hander showed that he can bat according to the situation which was more impressive than his numbers which are outstanding for a debutant. It’s these qualities that might’ve prompted MI captain Rohit Sharma to mark him as a future all-format player for India.

Jitesh Sharma (Wicket-Keeper)

Inn - 12 | Runs - 234 | Avg - 29.25 | SR - 163.6 | 50s - 0

Punjab Kings signed the keeper-batter for a base price of Rs 20 Lakh as part of their auction strategy to invest in players with big potential. Jitesh came out with flying colors in a season full of middling results for the team that finished sixth. Waling in at No.5, Jitesh crossed 40 once but scored at a healthy strike rate of 163.6 which compounded the impact of his 20s and 30s at the end. He also accounted for nine catches and two stumpings which makes his future prospects in the competition bright.

Rinku Singh

Inn - 7 | Runs - 174 | Avg - 34.8 | SR - 148.7 | 50s - 0

The Uttar Pradesh man’s reputation in the domestic circles has been on the rise for quite some time and the latest IPL campaign showed he was good enough at the biggest stage given ample opportunities to shine. Bought by KKR for Rs 55 lakh in the mega auction, Rinku played seven matches and scored 174 runs at a superb strike rate of 148.7. The left-hander batted across the lower-middle order as the team struggled to find the right combination and almost got them over the line against LSG with a stunning 40 off just 15 balls.

Rahul Tewatia

Inn - 12 | Runs - 217 | Avg - 31 | SR - 147.6 | 50s - 0

At debutant champions Gujarat Titans, the left-hander found steady ground to showcase his full range as a finisher. He was there, once again, to finish off Punjab with two sixes off the final two balls and against SRH with a 40 not out and against RCB with an unbeaten 25-ball 43. His partnerships with David Miller and unconventional approach in the lower middle-order were the gold dust that helped GT pull off improbable chases and eventually win the championship. 

R. Sai Kishore

Inn - 5 | Wkts - 6 | Eco - 7.6 | SR - 16

One of the mainstays of the Tamil Nadu team that clinched the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in the last two seasons, Sai Kishore was brought for Rs 3 crore by Gujarat Titans in the mega auction. He did not find a place in the playing XI until the match against LSG when he impressed with 2-7 in his 2 overs. GT captain Hardik Pandya said that the team management were looking to play the 25-year old before finding the right conditions to bring him in. There was no turning back since the LSG game as the off-spinner went on to claim eight wickets from five matches at an economy of 7.6.

Umran Malik

Inn - 14 | Wkts - 22 | Eco - 9 | SR - 13.4

After gaining reputation as a speed merchant last year, IPL 2022 was Umran Malik’s break-out season. The Jammu and Kashmir youngster terrorized batters with his searing pace. Under the mentorship of Dale Steyn, his improved line and lengths fetched him 22 wickets at an average of 22.5 from 14 matches. After impressing fans and pundits with his bowling prowess, it will be interesting to see how Malik performs in his first outing with the national team against South Africa in June.

Arshdeep Singh

Inn - 14 | Wkts - 10 | Eco - 7.7 | SR - 30

Another pacer to get his maiden international call-up for his IPL 2022 performances, Arshdeep Singh is an asset for any team with his ability to bowl miserly spells. Among bowlers who bowled at least 15 overs at the death this season, Arshdeep had the second-best economy of 7.9, behind Jasprit Bumrah and a dot-ball percentage of 23 which was the second best for that phase. One of the two Punjab Kings retentions this season, Arshdeep shouldered the responsibility to bowl during crunch situations and ended up with 10 wickets from 14 innings at an economy of 7.7.

Mohsin Khan 

Inn - 9 | Wkts - 14 | Eco - 6 | SR - 14.1

After spending four seasons on the bench at MI, Mohsin Khan caught the eye of LSG who bought him for a base price of Rs 20 lakh. The Uttar Pradesh pacer turned out to one of their best buys in their debut season as they reached the playoffs. It's unbelievable to see a new-ball bowler finish a high-scoring season like IPL 2022 with an economy of 6. As Cricket.com’s expert Nick Knight described him - Mohsin ‘gives away nothing’. The left-armer has swing, hits the deck hard and bowls the nagging length on the off-stump which fetched him 14 wickets from nine matches.