Wicketkeeper-batters have played a significant role in the IPL over the years. Because it gives a team the flexibility to strengthen either their batting or bowling departments, having a good stumper who can also contribute with the bat makes a big difference.
A gloveman who is only good behind the stumps cannot be chosen for the T20 format, so a keeper who can bat is essential.
Throughout the IPL’s history, a number of keeper-batters have excelled for their respective teams. MS Dhoni, the former captain of India, is, of course, the most well-known name of all. After Mumbai Indians (MI), he has led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to four IPL titles, making them the second-most successful team in the competition.
He ranks seventh among all-time batsmen with 4978 runs scored in 234 matches at an average of 39.20 and a strike rate of 135.20.
Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, and Sanju Samson are a few of the other successful IPL keeper-batters. Jos Buttler is also there, but he doesn’t take wickets for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) because Samson, the captain, is also there.
We look at three of the best uncapped Indian wicketkeepers who will compete in the IPL 2023 auction on December 23 as all 10 franchises prepare.
#1 N Jagadeesan
The keeper and batter for Tamil Nadu, N Jagadeesan, was in the CSK camp last season. In two games, he scored 40 runs at a strike rate of 108.11 percent. Since the retention list was released, his release by the Super Kings wasn’t all that surprising.
This domestic season, the 26-year-old has been absolutely sensational for Tamil Nadu. He scored 830 runs in six matches at an average of 138.33, making him the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022-23’s leading run-getter by some distance.
He became the first cricketer in List A history to score five runs in a row during the edition. With a stunning 277 against Arunachal Pradesh, he also set a record for the highest individual score in List A matches.
In addition, in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 match against Hyderabad, Jagadeesan scored 116 runs off 97 balls. At the IPL 2023 auction, anticipate that he will be in high demand.
#2 Aryan Juyal
Mumbai Indians selected the young Uttar Pradesh keeper-batsman Aryan Juyal for the 2022 Indian Premier League, but he was unable to practice his skills. The 21-year-old, who has performed admirably during the current domestic season, maybe a target for some IPL teams at the auction in Kochi.
During the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Juyal scored 218 runs in seven matches at an average of 54.50 and a strike rate of 120.44. He put in some great performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy that followed.
He scored 494 runs at an average of 70.57 in eight matches for Uttar Pradesh, including two hundred and five fifties.
Before the mini-auction, Juyal will be confident. Seeing his structure with the willow, it will be a shock on the off chance that he finds no takers on the offering table.
#3 Sheldon Jackson
Sheldon Jackson, a seasoned wicketkeeper and batsman for Saurashtra, refuses to give up. For the IPL 2022 season, he was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He was good at taking wickets, but he didn’t do well with the bat, scoring only 23 runs in five matches with a best of eight.
The 36-year-old appeared to be out of the running for the upcoming season when he was let go by KKR. However, the seasoned campaigner has once more demonstrated his case through influential domestic cricket performances.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Jackson scored 297 runs at an average of just under 50. He made fifty against Himachal Pradesh, but he saved his best for the championship match.
The right-handed batter won the Player of the Final award for his unbeaten 133, which was better than Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 108. Saurashtra defeated Maharashtra by five wickets to win the title.