5 Players who’ll use IPL 2023 to make their international comeback

Well, many players across the globe use IPL to revive their international careers. Last year while representing RCB, Dinesh Karthik rebounded again in T20Is after 2019. The veteran gloveman also eventually reached his end goal of playing in the 2022 World T20. Similarly with the 50-over World Cup next scheduled many cricketers will utilize IPL 2023 to again come back to international cricket.

Especially in the Indian team, there’s a realm number of players who are either dropped, injured or benched in white-ball cricket. For them, the 16th IPL season will be a big boon to bounce back.

Therefore in this list, let’s check out 5 players who’ll use IPL 2023 to make their international comeback.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

In the year 2022, Bhuvi was a frontline white-ball player for India. The pacer also made appearances in the multi-nation tournaments like Asia Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvi was perceived to be the leader of India’s bowling attack in the Australia event. However, the bowler was never seen at his absolute in the entire 2022.

Particularly when it comes to death-bowling, the 32-year-old has seemed to lose his magic. Often in crunch T20I games, Bhuvi bowled awfully thus raising scrutiny on his bowling form. Also sadly after the 2022 World T20, the seamer was just picked for the NZ tour. Comprehensively since his New Zealand visit, Bhuvi looks to have been omitted from India’s white-ball selection pool. Another indicator of affirming this is the prolonged list of injured pacers whose shoes Bhuvi isn’t filling anymore.

That’s why the upcoming IPL will become a make-or-break season for him. The orange army veteran is also expected to be a captaincy prospect for SRH. Optimistically even on fitness grounds, Bhuvi’s body looks okay. Therefore the 16th IPL season can become a springboard for Bhuvi to again don the blue jersey.

Overall, if the pacer delivers on his death-overs bowling along with scalping wickets with the new ball, Bhuvi might again impress the new selectors. However, the bowler will also face very stiff competition from his other Indian teammates like Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur. All in all, IPL 2023 for Bhuvi will be a pivotal tournament to thrive in.

Shikhar Dhawan

Just before the ongoing SL ODI series, Shikhar Dhawan was an established ODI cricketer. Last year, the veteran often captained India, especially under Rohit Sharma’s absence. Even the old selection committee panel viewed Dhawan as the first-choice opener for the 2023 World Cup. However, his recent dull form in Bangladesh seemed to have omitted him from the ODI setup. Also, Ishan Kishan’s double century at the same time must have discarded Dhawan’s future chances.

But in general, 2022 for this southpaw was just an average year. Particularly in ODIs, Dhawan scored runs at a subdued average of 34.40. More importantly, the batter also hasn’t amassed a single century since 2020. Before 2022, Dhawan at least had a sound cumulative ODI average of around 58 for two years.

Henceforth to have an outside chance of reviving his ODI career, Dhawan will leave no stone unturned in IPL 2023. Also maybe the captaincy of Punjab Kings empowers Dhawan to exhibit his best-ever IPL season. Hopefully, the 37-year-old after the IPL is again able to make his ODI selection case.

Jasprit Bumrah

Agonizingly, this premier pacer of India has been battling a back injury since September 2022. Prior to the 2022 World T20, Bumrah was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his back. The pacer in the later months of 2022 was undergoing strict rehab at the NCA. But sadly again while making a comeback, Bumrah’s back issues haven’t become defunct.

Presently, the 29-year-old has to almost take a month’s rest to again restart bowling. More importantly this time the BCCI will be even more conscientious to stage Bumrah’s comeback. That’s why the IPL 2023 might become an ideal scenario where Bumrah again is seen active.

As of now, the Indian team is optimistic that Bumrah might get available in the latter half of the Australia Test series. But with extra precaution in mind, this ace pacer might directly gear up to play the entire IPL 2023.

Certainly, the profusion of games in the IPL will be a strenuous endeavour for this cricketer to participate in. But if Bumrah’s body remains in good shape throughout the IPL then it will be a green signal for his international comeback.

Avesh Khan

This speedster in the year 2022 had become a regular member of India’s white-ball setup. In fact, in Asia Cup, Avesh was one of the elusive three Indian seamers that played in the tournament. However, post that the pacer has bitterly been omitted from international cricket. Despite a long list of Indian seamers battling injuries, Avesh still isn’t in contention for representing India.

So to again exhibit his true mettle, the 26-year-old is back grinding in domestic games. Especially in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Avesh is exhibiting the second-best bowling average (10.63). More importantly, the tall lad is amongst the wickets scalping 27 of them in just 4 outings. Hence to further strengthen his case, Avesh will use IPL 2023 to again impress the selectors.

As of now in the cash-rich league, Avesh has been bagging wickets at a rapid pace. Collectively, the seamer has pouched 42 wickets from 29 games in his last two seasons. Therefore the 16th season will be a big window for Avesh to strive the hardest and seal his India deal.

T Natarajan

Unfortunately, T Natarajan’s last international game was very long ago in March 2021. After his breakthrough season in IPL 2020, this pacer was selected for white-ball cricket. However, since then, Natarajan has endured a spree of injuries. In IPL 2022 when the seamer came in fully fit, Natarajan sadly then injured his knee.

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Perhaps after completing a strong rehabilitation at the NCA, the 31-year-old again sustained a knee problem. The mild meniscus tear in his old knee omitted Natarajan from participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Eventually, the cricketer is now eyeing IPL 2023 to again become eligible for his India call-up.

In his recent statements, the left-arm bowler has also voiced about being absolutely ready to bowl anywhere in white-ball cricket. Practically the speedster can become the deputy of Arshdeep Singh if his fitness is in shape. Henceforth, Natarajan will use IPL 2023 to again reopen his door for international cricket.