“Where Talent Meets Opportunity” is etched on the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, one of the greatest and toughest leagues in the world. The marquee tournament groomed many players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and many more, who are now recognized as prominent figures in international cricket.
Apart from Indian Cricket, this league has served as a platform for other countries to unearth promising talents, and many players have gained popularity by showing their prowess in the toughest league.
In this listicle, we will explore five young rising stars who left their mark in IPL 2024 with their cricketing skills. 
1. Jake Fraser-McGurk
Australia is known for producing skilled cricketers, and Jake Fraser-McGurk is no exception. He is a right-handed batter and can aid to team with his part-time spin bowling. He made his Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup debuts for Victoria in the 2019-20 season and later represented Australia U-19 in 2020.
The right-handed batter tumbled the record for the fastest List A century off 29 balls against Tasmania in October 2023, catching the attention of cricket nerds. The young gun continued his merry ways in the BBL 13, amassing 257 runs at a strike rate of 158, earning his spot in the Australia ODI squad against West Indies in February 2024, amassing a rapid 18-ball 41 runs in his second match.
Known for his power-hitting, JFM was roped in by Delhi Capitals as an injury replacement for Lungi Ngidi in IPL 2024, but the young bloke didn’t get to perform in the initial few matches of the tournament due to the capping of only 4 overseas players. However, the Aussie batter finally got the opportunity to show his prowess in IPL against Lucknow Super Giants on April 12, 2024, grabbing opportunities with both hands, he amassed 35-ball 55 runs in his debut IPL, further solidifying his position in the squad. The 22-year-old opened the innings for Delhi Capitals and changed the fortunes of the Delhi-based franchise with his fearless cricket in the powerplay, amassing four fifties in his seven IPL innings till date, with 27-ball 84 runs being his highest score in the tournament.
He went honkers and bonkers from the word go in each game, smashing boundaries for fun and stamping his authority in IPL. At just 22 years old, Fraser-McGurk is viewed as a budding talent and a potential future star in Australian cricket.
2. Harshit Rana
Harshit Pradeep Rana has gained popularity in the ongoing IPL with his aggressive pace bowling display. Who would have thought Harshit Rana would lead the bowling attack for KKR with the Aussie star bowler, Mitchell Starc in the squad? The right-arm pacer turned the game on its head in the inaugural match of KKR, defending 13 runs off the final over even after conceding a six off the first ball to Klaasen. Rana’s exceptional spell included three crucial wickets, which played a pivotal role in securing victory for his team.
The Delhi-born pacer could only muster 6 wickets in 7 innings, including IPL 2022 and 2023, but he stepped up with different form and energy in this IPL, claiming 14 wickets in 8 innings so far. This performance has made him the joint-most wicket-taker for KKR alongside Narine in this IPL. The 22-year-old honed his variations and efficiently executes slower balls, rendering him a skilled bowler in the shortest format. Representing Delhi in the domestic circuit, this young talent has yet to debut in international cricket.
3. Tristan Stubbs
The right-handed South African batter is renowned for his swashbuckling hitting. His ability to keep wickets and contribute with right-arm off-spin sets him apart, making him a true three-dimensional player.
The Protea batter failed to prove his mettle with the bat in the IPL 2022 and 2023 playing for Mumbai Indians, scoring only 27 runs across 4 innings. Delhi Capitals roped in the young gun for IPL 2024, and standing up to expectations, the swashbuckler stamped his authority in IPL 2024 with his breathtaking hitting abilities, amassing 318 runs off 11 innings at an impressive strike rate of 188.17, making him a valuable player for the Delhi-based franchise.
In an interview, Stubbs mentioned how hockey basics have helped him execute power-hitting shots seamlessly and switch between hands to play unorthodox shots. Having debuted in T20Is against India in June 2022, Stubbs has also represented South Africa in solo ODIs and Tests in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
The 23-year-old is in sublime form this season, and proving his mettle in the world’s toughest league earned him a spot in the 15-member South Africa T-20 World Cup 2024 squad. With his hitting abilities at the cue end of the innings, Stubbs could prove to be an x-factor for South Africa in the upcoming World Cup.
4. Nitish Kumar Reddy
In a squad brimming with batting powerhouses, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batters are shattering records for fun this season, while many renowned players warm the bench. Among them, Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is a promising young talent, stepped up at the crucial juncture when the batting powerhouse faltered, helping his side win from a dire situation. The right-handed batter has mustered 239 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 152.23 this season, along with bagging three wickets with the ball.
His energetic fielding contributions set Reddy apart, adding a unique dimension to the SRH squad. The young bloke can play according to the match situation and switch gears when needed, a quality that has garnered attention from cricket enthusiasts and selectors alike.
5. Mayank Yadav
“#156 KPH #Raw Pace” took Twitter by storm on March 30, 2024, when a budding young Indian pacer made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings, wreaking havoc with his searing pace, consistently clocking over 150+ kph.
Debuting for LSG in the IPL, he made headlines straightaway in his debut game by clicking 156 kph with his raw pace, turning the tide of the game single-handedly. He bagged three wickets for just 27 runs and troubled batters with his menacing bouncers.
Mayank was awarded the Player of the Match in his first two IPL games, but fate had other plans for the young pacer as he sustained a hamstring injury, ruling him out of IPL 2024 after playing only four games in the season. The 21-year-old impressed many renowned cricket personalities with his raw pace and could become an upcoming big name in Indian cricket, depending on how he hones his skills.
