Stars are born and international careers made at the IPL.
From Manpreet Gony in the inaugural edition to Mayank Markande in the last, little-known players have been able to walk into the Indian team on account of stellar shows at the world's most glamorous league.
A look at a few debutants who could create ripples at IPL-12.
Shivam Dube: The Mumbai all-rounder, who heaves the bat left-handed and bowls decent pace with his right arm, was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹5 crore. On the previous day, in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Baroda, the 25-year-old slammed five sixes off successive balls. He sure knows a thing or two about timing.
Varun Chakaravarthy.
Varun Chakaravarthy: If you thought Dube had netted quite a sum for an uncapped player, you just need to recall how much Kings XI Punjab spent on the former architect from Chennai — ₹8.4 crore.
The 27-year-old mystery spinner — he has seven variations up his sleeve — made a mark at the TNPL for Madurai Panthers last year. Even his degree in architecture would not have been enough to plan what has happened since.
Prabhsimran Singh: It would be a while before he gets his degree, but the wicketkeeper-opener is already worth ₹4.8 crore, thanks to Kings XI Punjab. Last year he hit 298 off 302 balls in the Punjab under-23 tournament.
The 18-year-old showed he could be as destructive at the senior level, cracking 54 off 20 balls for Punjab against Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament last month.
Anmolpreet Singh.
Anmolpreet Singh: Prabhsimran isn't the only cricketer from his extended family to get a surprise at the IPL auction. His cousin was picked up by Mumbai Indians for ₹80 lakh.
The 20-year-old from Punjab averages above 50 in both First Class and List-A cricket. He has played only two seasons of Ranji Trophy, but already boasts scores like 267 and 252 not out.
Prayas Ray Burman: The IPL has an ability to create young millionaires. Still, eyebrows were raised when Royal Challengers paid ₹1.5 crore for his services. The boy from Kolkata is just 16, after all.
He doesn't give that impression though when he bowls his leg-spin. He showed much maturity in taking four for 20 for Bengal against Jammu & Kashmir on his List-A debut last September.
Sandeep Warrier.
Sandeep Warrier: Nobody raised a paddle when his name was announced at the auction. That was a bit surprising after he swung things Kerala's way at the Ranji Trophy with 44 wickets.
Just when it seemed the 27-year-old's remarkable bad luck would continue for another season, two pacers were injured in Kolkata and he was signed by Knight Riders for ₹20 lakh.
