Five players who won 'Emerging Player' award and made it big in the Indian team

The Indian T20 League is a great opportunity for youngsters to showcase their skills at the big stage. They get to learn a lot from being around the many veterans of the game, even if they don't get a game. The ITL realises this and has always promoted the young players. They have an emerging player award every year to celebrate them. Here is a list of players that have won the emerging player award and made it big on the international stage for India.

Rohit Sharma

The current Indian captain, Rohit Sharma was trying to cement his place in the Indian team when he won the 2009 emerging player award for his run with the now-defunct Deccan team. He made a contribution not just with the bat but also with the ball. In the 16 matches that he played, he scored 362 runs with one half-century and a few good innings to his name. With the ball, he took 11 wickets in 12 innings at an economy of exactly 7 runs per over. Later, Sharma went on to become one of the best players across formats for India. 

Axar Patel

The Gujarat-born all-rounder, Axar Patel has established a good reputation for himself in the Indian Test team. Playing for the Punjab team in 2014, he won the emerging player award. He was not as effective with the bat but had a great run with the ball. In the 17 matches that he bowled, he took 17 wickets and was very economical too. He conceded just 6.13 runs per over. 

Shreyas Iyer

The middle-order batter, Shreyas Iyer has a good place for himself in the Indian team in all formats. While he may not get to play every match because of too many options, he is always in the squad. In his first season for the Delhi team in 2015, he won the emerging player award. In 14 matches, he scored 439 at an average of close to 34. He scored four fifties, with 83 as his highest score. He then became their captain in 2018 and led the team to their first-ever final in 2020.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has cemented his spot in the Indian team in all formats. He has become India's option for fast run scoring. His journey to the Indian team was fast-forwarded due to Indian T20 League. Playing for Delhi in 2018, he won the emerging player award. He scored 684 runs at a strike rate of 173.6 in the season. He also hit five half-centuries.

Shubman Gill

The 22-year old has become a strong contender in the Indian Test team at a very young age. However, this journey began with the shortest format. In 2019, he became the emerging player award while representing Kolkata. In the 14 innings that he played, he scored 296 runs at an average of 32.88. He also had three half-centuries to his name.