“Yatra Pratibha Avsara Prapnotihi”. These are the words engraved in Sanskrit on the coveted trophy of the Indian Premier League. These words translate in English to “Where Talent Meets Opportunity”. Fittingly so, the IPL has brought about many emerging players throughout the years who have done incredibly well in the IPL, thus giving them the award for “Emerging Player of the Year”.
Winning this award has propelled many careers of young players and they have gone to make it big in international cricket. Here are the players who have won the “Emerging Player of the Year” award throughout the IPL since its inception in 2008.
2008: Shreevats Goswami (RCB)
Playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Shreevats Goswami scored 82 runs from the 3 innings he played at a strike rate of 96.47 and an average of 27.33. The 20-year Goswami used the chances he got and was awarded “Emerging Player of the Year” for his reliable contributions.
2009: Rohit Sharma (DC)
The current captain of the Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma played under Adam Gilchrist as the vice-captain of the Deccan Chargers in 2009. His contributions to the team in 2009 came in all formats as he scored 362 runs and picked 11 wickets which also included a hattrick against his current team, Mumbai Indians.
2010: Saurabh Tiwary (MI)
The 21-year-old Saurabh Tiwary scored 419 runs in the 16 games he played in IPL 2010. Striking it at 135.59 and averaging just under 30, Tiwary played a vital role in propelling the Mumbai Indians to the finals where they lost against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings. His consistent performances awarded him the “Emerging Player of the Year” award in the 2010 edition of the IPL.
2011: Iqbal Abdulla (KKR)
The left-arm spinner picked up 16 wickets in the 2011 edition of the Indian Premier League at a miserly economy of just 6.1 runs per over and a strike rate of 18.75. Abdulla was the go-to man to choke the run flow of the opposition and pick crucial wickets in crunch situations for KKR.
2012: Mandeep Singh (KXIP)
Being the leading run-scorer for the Kings XI Punjab in 2012, amassing 432 runs from 16 games Mandeep Singh fittingly won the “Emerging Player of the Year” Award. His brilliance and sharpness in the field too gave handy contributions to his team. He scored two 50s and his highest score of
2013: Sanju Samson (RR)
The current captain of the Rajasthan Royals, this explosive wicketkeeper-batsman scored 206 runs in 10 innings in his debut season for the Rajasthan Royals. His contributions in the field were also notable as he picked up 13 catches that season.
2014: Axar Patel (KXIP)
A left-arm finger spin bowling all-rounder, Axar Patel was bought by the Kings XI Punjab in 2014 and Axar did not fail to deliver. Bowling in crunch situations and batting lower down the order, Axar was a perfect all-rounder that fit into the KXIP playing XI. He scored 62 runs with a best of 42* that season and picked 17 wickets bowling at an economy of just 6.13 runs per over.
2015: Shreyas Iyer (DC)
The current captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders started his IPL stint with the Delhi Capitals in 2015 when he was signed for 2.6 Crores. Scoring 439 runs averaging at 33.76 and having a healthy strike rate of 128.3, Iyer was one of the Pollard of the Delhi batting setup. Deservingly so, he won the “Emerging Player of the Year” award in 2015 of the IPL.
2016 : Mustafizur Rahman (SRH)
With his ability to swing the ball and his handy cutters, coupled with his left-arm seam, Mustafizur Rahman was a potent contributing factor in the triumph of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their 2016 campaign. Picking 17 wickets, Rahman is the only overseas player to make this list.
2017: Basil Thampi (GL)
Making his debut for the Gujarat Lions in 2017, this speedster from Kerela picked 11 wickets at an economy of 9.49. Even if these numbers look ordinary on paper, Thampi was the go-to death bowler for the Gujarat Lions who could perfectly execute high-speed searing yorkers at will. This earned him the “Emerging Player of the Year” award in 2017
2018: Rishabh Pant (DC)
Arguably the best performance to earn this award, Rishabh Pant of 2018 was a force to be reckoned with. Even though the Delhi Capitals ended the season at the bottom of the points table. He lit up the season with his blistering knocks. 2018 saw the young southpaw score a whopping 684 runs at a strike rate of over 170 something that veteran players also dream of achieving. He averaged 52.61 and also scored his career-best IPL score of 128*.
2019: Shubman Gill (KKR)
Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders since his debut, Gill played every role he was given in the 2019 season. Scoring consistently at a 30+ average Gill proved to be the perfect anchor to KKRs innings. His sound technique coupled with his consistency awarded him the “Emerging Player of the Year” award in 2019.
2020: Devdutt Padikkal (RCB)
Debuting in 2020 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Padikkal certainly peaked the interest of many with his heroics. Giving RCB steady starts scoring 473 runs averaging 30+ throughout the season is a notable feat achieved by Padikkal.
2021: Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)
Gaikwad’s performance in the 2021 season of the Indian Premier League was nothing short of a dream run. Opening for CSK, he scored 635 runs which included 4 fifties and 1 unbeaten century. This stint boasted of a healthy average and strike rate of 45.35 and 136.26 respectively.
