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Unknown quantities on show in South Africa

NEW DELHI - Little-known cricketers and underdogs go into the Indian Premier League in South Africa with keen expectations as the event is not all about favourites.

Opener Shaun Marsh had not even played for Australia when signed by Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural tournament in India last year, but returned as the leading scorer with 616 runs.

Rajasthan Royals, the cheapest team at 67 million dollars, had mostly honest triers rather than superstars, but stunned the more fancied opposition on their way to the title under the leadership of Shane Warne.

The first edition was a fascinating saga of Warne and his band of young warriors, who won 11 of their 14 league matches, ruining reputations of star-studded teams in the process.

Leg-spin wizard Warne, considered one of the most intelligent captains not to have led Australia, was always in the thick of things.

He was the second-highest wicket-taker with 19 after team-mate Sohail Tanvir of Pakistan (22), but his biggest contribution was his man-management skills.

“To win it (the final) off the last ball last year as the underdogs, having been thrashed in our first game, was pretty special in front of 80,000 people,” Warne said.

“It won’t be the same (this year) as it was in India, but hopefully the South African public will get behind it and turn up to the ground and make it a great spectacle.”

The tournament, initially called a “gimmick” by critics, was more than just a spectacle as it helped many struggling and young cricketers to revive or establish their internationals careers.

Marsh, son of former Australian Test opener Geoff who was signed for 30,000 dollars—a meagre sum compared to what many others got—made his one-day debut just three weeks after the IPL.

All-rounder Yusuf Pathan also achieved fame after just one tournament to later become a vital part of India’s one-day and Twenty20 squad.

Pathan did not let his skipper Warne down with his hard-hitting and tidy off-spin. He was the seventh-highest scorer with 435 runs, including the tournament’s fastest 50, off just 21 balls against Deccan Chargers.

Fast bowler Manpreet Gony was another unknown player making a big impact, grabbing 17 wickets for runners-up Chennai Super Kings. He was later rewarded with an India cap for the Asia Cup in Pakistan.

Paceman Dhawal Kulkarni, 20, forced his way into India’s Test squad for a recent tour of New Zealand on the strength of his IPL performances. He had come into the tournament without playing a first-class match, but took 11 wickets.

Pakistan’s Tanvir was not a crowdpuller like compatriot Shoaib Akhtar or Australian Glenn McGrath, but was second to none when it came to delivering in crunch situations.

He was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 22 and played a big role in Rajasthan Royals’ triumph along with Australian all-rounder Shane Watson.

Watson was the tournament’s fourth-highest scorer (472) and wicket-taker (17). He was named the player of the tournament for his superb all-round show.

The coming tournament may have superstars like Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff or Muttiah Muralitharan, but it still leaves plenty of room for unsung players to make a mark.