With the crowds fading, the popularity of the Indian Premier League (IPL) dipped in the fourth season but it continued to be a platform for the cricket crazy nation's domestic talent.Kings XI Punjab's explosive opener Paul Valthaty, who is yet to make a first class debut, Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Iqbal Abdulla, Bangalore Royal Challenger fast bowler Sreenath Aravind and Pune Warriors' Rahul Sharma have been the new stars this season and have staked their claim for a potential national cap in the future.
Valthaty took the IPL by storm with his match-winning 120 runs off 63 balls for Kings XI Punjab against eventual champions Chennai Super Kings in a league match at Mohali. He overshadowed his opening partner and captain Adam Gilchrist on many occasions during the league stages, smashing the ball from the word go with the great Australian batsman being a mere spectator.
Valthay, with 463 runs from 14 matches, ended up as the sixth-highest run-getter despite being inconsistent.
"Paul has an attacking style of play and in such a style results are always inconsistent. I know this because I am speaking through personal experience," said Gilchrist.
Mumbai's Abdulla also made had a fairytale run and from a bench-warmer emerged as a match winner for Knight Riders.
Abdulla had an impressive Ranji season and continued in the same breadth in the IPL as well.
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Valthaty took the IPL by storm with his match-winning 120 runs off 63 balls for Kings XI Punjab against eventual champions Chennai Super Kings in a league match at Mohali. He overshadowed his opening partner and captain Adam Gilchrist on many occasions during the league stages, smashing the ball from the word go with the great Australian batsman being a mere spectator.
Valthay, with 463 runs from 14 matches, ended up as the sixth-highest run-getter despite being inconsistent.
"Paul has an attacking style of play and in such a style results are always inconsistent. I know this because I am speaking through personal experience," said Gilchrist.
Mumbai's Abdulla also made had a fairytale run and from a bench-warmer emerged as a match winner for Knight Riders.
Abdulla had an impressive Ranji season and continued in the same breadth in the IPL as well.
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