In a tournament as grand as the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), we often celebrate the million-dollar buys and international icons. But occasionally, a lesser-known figure—perhaps just another face behind the nets—gets his moment under the floodlights. Over the years, several IPL stars have emerged from the shadows of net sessions, proving that greatness often starts in silence.
Let’s relive the top 5 stories where net bowlers became the stars of the IPL season, backed by real stats, breakthroughs, and their transformative impact.
5. T. Natarajan – From SRH Net Bowler to Yorker King (IPL 2020)
The Journey:
- Role before breakthrough: Net bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Debut: IPL 2017 (KXIP), but re-emerged in 2020 with SRH
- Chance given due to injuries to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and other pacers
Impact in IPL 2020:
- Wickets: 16 wickets in 16 matches
- Economy Rate: 8.02
- Best Bowling: 3/30
- Yorker Count: 71 yorkers — most in a single IPL season (according to ESPNcricinfo)
Natarajan was no longer just a left-arm seamer. He became India’s go-to death bowler that year, eventually earning a call-up to the national team for the Australia tour, where he debuted in all three formats.
4. Umran Malik – The Speed Sensation From the Nets (IPL 2021)
The Journey:
- Role before breakthrough: Net bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Came in for: T. Natarajan (COVID-positive)
Impact in IPL 2021:
- Matches: 3
- Wickets: 2
- Economy: 8.00
- Highlight: Clocked 153 km/h against RCB — fastest delivery of the season
Though his 2021 run was brief, his pace was raw and electric. By IPL 2022, he became a regular for SRH, taking 22 wickets in the season and earning his India debut. Umran’s story is pure IPL gold, from net sessions to national headlines.
3. Mukesh Choudhary – CSK’s Silent Warrior (IPL 2022)
The Journey:
- Role before breakthrough: CSK net bowler; spotted during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
- Chance given due to: Injury to Deepak Chahar (₹14 crore buy)
Impact in IPL 2022:
- Wickets: 16 in 13 matches
- Best Bowling: 4/46
- Powerplay wickets: 11 — among the top 5 in that phase
- Economy in powerplay: ~7.4
Though CSK had a forgettable season, Mukesh gave fans something to cheer about. His left-arm swing was reminiscent of early Zaheer Khan, and he became a mainstay in the domestic circuit after this season.
2. Akash Madhwal – MI’s Mathematical Masterstroke (IPL 2023)
The Journey:
- Background: A civil engineer from Uttarakhand, a net bowler for MI
- Recommended by: Wasim Jaffer
- Chance given due to: Injuries to Jasprit Bumrah, Jofra Archer
Impact in IPL 2023:
- Matches: 8
- Wickets: 14
- Best Bowling: 5/5 vs LSG in Eliminator — best figures by an uncapped player in IPL playoffs
- Economy: 8.3
Akash’s calm under pressure and accuracy at the death stunned seasoned batters. His performance against LSG was arguably one of the finest spells in playoff history. He became a viral sensation and is now in India’s T20 radar.
1. Yash Dayal – The Quiet Performer for Gujarat Titans (IPL 2022)
The Journey:
- Role before breakthrough: Net bowler for multiple franchises
- Picked by: Gujarat Titans for ₹3.2 crore at the 2022 auction
Impact in IPL 2022:
- Wickets: 11 in 9 matches
- Best Bowling: 3/40
- Key Role: Trusted in death overs by Hardik Pandya
While Dayal made headlines in 2023 for conceding 5 sixes to Rinku Singh, his 2022 season was a breakout moment. He helped GT secure victories during their maiden title-winning campaign. His journey from practice sessions to pressure situations is an example of faith in domestic talent.
Conclusion
The IPL is a theatre of unseen tales and grit built in silence, not merely a competition of sixes, flair, and star power. Real magic happens behind the scenes, as net bowlers toil hard, imitating the finest in the world, bowling hundreds of deliveries with no chance of recognition, while the limelight frequently focuses on big-name players and million-dollar signings.
These five tales demonstrate how talent can overcome any obstacle, including the invisible barrier separating the national team from the nets, given the right circumstances. They serve as a reminder that no endeavour is ever fully invisible and that no dream is ever too far off.
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