IPL 2022 – Top 5 Young Players

With the IPL expanding to ten teams in 2022, there have been plenty more opportunities given to domestic players in the most prestigious T20 tournament in the world, and numerous youngsters have shone for their franchises on the biggest stage this season.

The emergence of uber-talented rising stars has been one of the highlights of season 15 of the Indian Premier League, and here are the top five most impressive youngsters from 2022.

5. Mukesh Choudhary – Age: 25 (Chennai Super Kings)

With Deepak Chahar injured, Mukesh Choudhary was forced to be Chennai’s lead bowler with the new ball in IPL 2022, and playing in his maiden season, the left-armer was incredibly impressive. Although Choudhary was a little expensive – economy rate of 9.31 – he bowled with excellent pace and displayed the ability to swing the ball back in to the right-hander. Choudhary finished the season with 16 wickets at an average of 26 and also picked up the second-most scalps in the powerplay (11) in IPL 2022 after Mohammed Shami. 

4. Abhishek Sharma – Age: 21 (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

After being moved up to his best position opening the innings, Abhishek Sharma had a breakthrough season in the IPL for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, finishing the tournament as their top-scorer with 426 runs at a strike rate of 133. Sharma also showed he was one of the best hitters of spin in the tournament, with the left-hander dominating two of the best spinners in IPL history – Rashid Khan and Sunil Narine – and striking at over 200 against both bowlers this season.

3. Tilak Varma – Age: 19 (Mumbai Indians)

One of the shining lights in an otherwise forgettable season for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022 was the performance of Tilak Varma. The India U-19 star was Mumbai’s second-highest run-scorer this season after Ishan Kishan, managing nearly 400 runs at an average of 36 and a healthy strike rate of 131. Although the 19-year-old showed a slight weakness against pace this season, he was one of the best players of spin in the IPL, finishing the tournament with the third-best average against spinners (186) amongst all batters after KL Rahul and Jos Buttler.

2. Mohsin Khan – Age: 23 (Lucknow Super Giants)

Mohsin Khan was one of the surprise stories of the season in IPL 2022, with the left-armer bursting onto the scenes for the Lucknow Super Giants in the back half of the campaign. Khan finished with 14 wickets in just nine matches for the new franchise and was one of the most impressive pacers this season, clocking impressive speeds north of 150kph and finishing with the second-best economy rate for those who have bowled at least 30 overs (5.97). 

1. Umran Malik – Age: 22 (Sunrisers Hyderebad)

Another SRH youngster who announced their arrival in IPL 2022 was the Jammu and Kashmir pacer, Umran Malik. Malik shocked the entire IPL with his impressive ball-speed and control in season 15, finishing the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker (22) amongst fast bowlers after Kagiso Rabada. The 22-year-old touched speeds of 157 kph this season and troubled some of the best players of fast bowling in the world with his searing pace and accuracy.