The Vijay Hazare Trophy is one of the most important tournaments in Indian domestic cricket. It is the elite List-A competition. Players from across the country battle against each other in the 50-over format. This year, Vijay Hazare Trophy happened just before IPL 2021. Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy preceded IPL Auction.
The franchises have a clear idea of their players’ form after these two tourneys. Mumbai won the Vijay Hazare Trophy last Sunday. There were many Indian players who impressed in that competition. They could even emerge as a match-winner for their IPL team. Here’s a look at the top five names who could do so.
5. Dhawal Kulkarni
Dhawal Kulkarni was a member of the Mumbai team that became champions. Kulkarni played a vital role in his team’s success. He was the second-highest wicket-taker for his side. The right-arm pacer scalped 14 wickets in six matches. His best figures were 5/44.
The highlighting part of his statistics was his bowling average of 11.78. Also, his economy rate was just 3.72. Notably, he bowled ten maiden overs for Mumbai. Hence, he was in great touch during Vijay Hazare Trophy. Mumbai Indians could give him more chances in IPL 2021.
4. Siddarth Kaul was the best bowler for Punjab in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Another right-arm fast bowler who did well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was Siddarth Kaul. The right-arm pacer played for Punjab. He played five matches and picked up 14 wickets. Kaul bowled three maiden overs. He is a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2021.
The SRH team management would be delighted after seeing Kaul’s wicket-taking skills. Kaul picked up two four-wicket hauls in five innings. Last year, he did not have a great IPL season. But the former U-19 World Cup winner could star for SRH this year. Expect him to shine bright in IPL 2021.
3. Krunal Pandya
Dhawal Kulkarni was not the only Mumbai Indians player who was in sensational touch this year. His teammate Krunal Pandya was also brilliant for Baroda. Krunal recently returned to Team India. The reason behind it was his success in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021. Krunal played five matches for Baroda, scoring 388 runs.
His batting average was 129.33. Even his strike rate was more than 115. Krunal Pandya hit two centuries and two fifties in the competition. With his left-arm spin, Krunal dismissed five batsmen. He can surely be a match-winner for MI this year.
2. Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal made his IPL debut last year for RCB. He was too good in his first IPL season. Padikkal continued that form for Karnataka in Vijay Hazare Trophy. He scored 737 runs in seven innings. His consistency was phenomenal this season.
Padikkal will continue playing for RCB in IPL 2021. The RCB team management will look forward to Padikkal opening the innings with Virat Kohli. Padikkal had an average of 147.40 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He recorded four hundreds and three fifties. A similar performance is expected from him in IPL 2021.
1. Prithvi Shaw was the highest run-scorer in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Prithvi Shaw was in terrible form last year. Still, the Delhi Capitals retained their faith in him. They did not release him before IPL 2021. Now, Delhi will be very happy with the decision because Shaw is back in form. The Mumbai skipper led his team from the front.
The right-handed batsman topped the batting charts. He amassed 827 runs in eight innings. Shaw broke the record for the highest score in tournament history. His best score was 227*, whereas his total tally was four hundreds and one fifty. It will be exciting to see how Shaw performs in IPL 2021.
