After a triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup, the Indian Cricket team is now focusing on its future prospects. With the retirement of leading players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja from the T20I format, the management is keen to test the new and emerging talent that has evolved from the IPL.

The upcoming Zimbabwe tour, a crucial series in the team’s rebuilding phase, is a significant opportunity for these players to prove their calibre and make a mark in the future of the Indian team. While a few players have been exceptional in the recent IPL stint, they haven’t made it to the tour squad. Here’s a list of the five deserving IPL performers who should have sealed a spot in the upcoming Zimbabwe tour.

1. T Natarajan

T Natarajan has been a vital pacer for the Sunrisers Hyderabad for a long time. His ability to bowl consecutive unplayable yorkers and quick speed deliveries have been instrumental in the Orange Army’s path of success. Natarajan was introduced to the world of International cricket during the 2021 India tour of Australia series. He was a part of all the formats and scalped crucial wickets for the team.

But, with regular injuries, he couldn’t get another International call. His 2024 IPL performance includes scalping 19 wickets in 14 encounters, making him SRH’s highest wicket-taker. As it implies, T Natarajan’s name not available in the upcoming tour has been a surprise for many, with a hope to find him in the upcoming tours.

2. Shashank Singh

Shashank Singh was the buzz of the town during the IPL 2024. He had a terrible experience after the IPL auction, as the Punjab Kings claimed they had signed the player by mistake. Shashank batted in the middle order and scored 354 runs in 14 matches, with a strike rate of 164.25. Despite playing a pivotal role in Punjab’s victories, the 32-year-old was left out of India’s selection for the forthcoming series against Zimbabwe.

This startled many fans, especially following his crucial and heroic efforts in leading the Punjab Kings to triumphs, including the most successful run-chase against the Kolkata Knight Riders. With his current recognition, seeing him compete on the local circuit and potentially earn his maiden international call in the coming days would be intriguing.

3. Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma was one of Mumbai Indians’ most dependable hitters in times of need and adversity. The left-handed hitter scored 416 runs with an average of 42 and a strike rate of 150. Varma emerged as one of the most appropriate names for the middle order.

Due to injury, Varma missed Mumbai’s final match of the season against the Lucknow Super Giants, but there’s no reason he wasn’t picked for this series. He began his international career with the West Indies tour and has played an essential part in bolstering the team’s batting order, with many hoping that he will turn the tables and change the course of the team’s middle-order batting.

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4. Varun Chakravarthy

Varun Chakravarthy had a great run in the recently finished IPL season. As a member of the winning Kolkata Knight Riders’ third title trail, his moniker “Mystery Spinner” has aided the three-time champions in boosting their spin attack, which Sunil Narine, the spinmeister, leads.

He took 21 wickets in 15 matches and finished second in the edition’s wicket-taker standings. He last played a T20I for the country in 2021. Still, his improved performance has made him a deserving candidate for a position on the next Zimbabwe trip, especially given the team’s ambitions to have a solid spinner.

5. Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar has made a commendable comeback through the 2024 IPL. After getting recognition for hitting a game-changing century against the Lucknow Supergiants in the eliminator of the 2022 edition, many expected him to be the next big thing in India.

However, a significant injury hindered his game, which led him to get ruled out of the 2023 edition. His performance in the 2024 edition didn’t comprise high scores. But his swashbuckling approach has helped in obtaining crucial runs for the team. He has scored 395 runs in 15 matches in 2024, with an average of 30.38 and a 177.13 strike rate.