Tournaments, both local and grassroots, have become unlikely launchpads for future IPL stars. While the league often showcases cricketing royalty and domestic stalwarts, some players defy the conventional path, emerging from small-town tournaments, viral videos, and social media buzz to shine on the biggest stage.
In this article, we dive deep into five IPL players who were discovered outside the traditional system, through social media, local T20 leagues, or even YouTube videos, and went on to leave a lasting mark.
5. T. Natarajan
- Discovered via: Tamil Nadu local tennis ball tournaments, especially in Salem and Coimbatore
- IPL Breakthrough: Picked up by Kings XI Punjab in 2017 for ₹3 crore
- Major Impact: Made his mark with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2020
- Viral Element: His Yorkers from local matches became YouTube sensations among TN cricket fans
Backstory:
Born in Chinnappampatti, a small village in Tamil Nadu, Natarajan was a tennis ball specialist whose ability to bowl yorkers with pinpoint precision became legendary in the local circuits. Videos of his death bowling in the TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League) circulated on social media, attracting attention from IPL scouts.
Impact in IPL 2020:
- Wickets: 16 wickets in 16 matches for SRH
- Bowled the most yorkers in IPL 2020 (71 yorkers in 14 matches)
- Selected for India’s 2020–21 Australia tour as a net bowler and ended up making his debut across all formats
4. Kartik Tyagi
- Discovered via: Local UP tournaments, videos circulated by coaches and agents on WhatsApp groups
- IPL Breakthrough: Picked by Rajasthan Royals in 2020 for ₹1.3 crore
- Major Impact: Impressed in 2021 with clutch death bowling
Backstory:
Coming from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, Kartik Tyagi practised with limited facilities, often bowling with a single new ball for weeks. His skiddy pace and sharp swing caught attention during U-19 trials, and videos shared across WhatsApp and Facebook cricket groups elevated his visibility. After his stellar run in the 2020 U-19 World Cup (11 wickets in 6 matches), IPL teams took notice. RR took a punt on the young seamer.
IPL Highlight – 2021 vs PBKS:
- Defended 4 runs in the final over
- Took 2 wickets and conceded just 1 run
- Player of the Match and instant sensation on social media
3. Varun Chakravarthy
- Discovered via: Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL); highlights of his spell went viral.
- IPL Breakthrough: Bought by KXIP in 2019 for ₹8.4 crore
- Major Impact: Became KKR’s main spinner from 2020 onward
Backstory:
Originally an architect, Varun turned to cricket seriously at 25. He started playing in club cricket and was soon drafted into Siechem Madurai Panthers in the TNPL. His mysterious variations—leg breaks, off-breaks, carrom balls—started showing up in highlight reels posted on YouTube and TNPL’s social handles. These videos caught the eyes of KXIP and later KKR.
IPL Stats:
- 2020: 17 wickets in 13 matches
- Took 5/20 vs Delhi Capitals, the only 5-wicket haul that season
- Selected for India’s T20I squad
2. Mohsin Khan
- Discovered via: Local club tournaments in Uttar Pradesh; bowling videos shared by local coaches
- IPL Breakthrough: Picked by Mumbai Indians in 2018, but made a name with LSG in 2022
- Major Impact: Starred for LSG as a left-arm pacer clocking 145+ km/h
Backstory:
From the Sambhal district, Mohsin had to travel 50–60 km daily for training. He wasn’t part of the U-19 India or the big tournaments. But videos of him bowling toe-crushers in Meerut local leagues reached MI and later LSG scouts.
IPL 2022 Stats with Lucknow Super Giants:
- Wickets: 14 wickets in 9 matches
- Economy Rate: Just 5.96 – best among pacers with 10+ wickets
- Delivered key spells in powerplays and death overs
1. Rahul Tewatia
- Discovered via: Haryana local leagues and standout performances shared on Twitter/Instagram
- IPL Breakthrough: Already in IPL, but true fame came via a viral 2020 knock
- Major Impact: RR vs KXIP 2020 – 5 sixes in an over
Backstory:
While not a fresh IPL debutant, Tewatia was often a benchwarmer. He went unnoticed until videos of his practice sessions and domestic game finishing acts started trending on Twitter and cricket pages.
IPL 2020 Highlight:
- 53 off 31 balls vs KXIP
- Smashed 5 sixes in an over off Sheldon Cottrell
- Helped RR chase 224 – then IPL’s highest successful chase
Conclusion
The IPLÂ is becoming a scouting revolution rather than merely a league. The days of selectors solely watching Ranji matches are long gone. A career can now be launched by a single viral video, a dominant local T20 spell, or an unforgettable TNPL performance. These five players demonstrate that even the most formidable obstacles in Indian cricket can be overcome by enthusiasm supported by performance and amplified via social media. The internet may discover you if the scouts don’t.
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