Cricket: 5 Players who could light up ISPL Season 3

by Devesh Jaganath

image Cricket: 5 Players who could light up ISPL Season 3
Season 3 of the Indian Street Premier League kicked off this past weekend and will run until February 6, with all eight teams battling out for the title. The Ahmedabad Lions have stormed out the blocks, notching up back-to-back wins in their first two games, and here we take a look at five players who could shine in this year’s tournament.

1. Vijay Pawle - Majhi Mumbai 

Into the third season of the Indian Street Premier League, and Vijay Pawle remains one of the most impactful and decorated batters in the game. Renowned for his ability to rise to the occasion, Pawle’s explosive striking and sharp cricketing instincts have made him indispensable for the defending champions, Majhi Mumbai.

This season, he returned to the reigning champions as the most expensive player ever in the ISPL auction, with Amitabh Bachan’s side splashing out ₹32.50 lakh to secure his services using the Right to Match card. Beyond his batting ability, Pawle is a former Best Fielder in the competition and under his leadership, Majhi Mumbai lifted the title in Season 2. 

2. Rajendra Singh - Bengaluru Strikers 

Rajendra Singh is the perfect example of how hard work pays off. After honing his skills as a development bowler, Season 2 proved to be a breakthrough one for him, and he impressed onlookers to such an extent that the Bengaluru Skrikers invested ₹26.10 to acquire his signature, making him the most expensive bowler in league history. 

Singh’s progression through the ranks has been rapid - in Season 2 he ended with 12 wickets and a solid economy rate, proving he can adapt to different situations to improve his wicket-taking. Singh’s mix of pace and tactical awareness makes him a player to watch in Season 3.

3. Saif Ali - Tiigers of Kolkata

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Arguably, the most consistent batter seen in the ISPL is Saif Ali (aka Sagar Ali). Hailing from Bardhaman District in West Bengal, he has quickly become one of the league’s most reliable run-scorers, which saw the Kolkata franchise fork over ₹23.65 lakh to secure his signature for Season 3. 

Last season, Ali etched his name in the record books by becoming the first-ever player to score back-to-back half-centuries, doing so in huge pressure situations. Across 19 matches in his ISPL career, he has racked up just shy of 600 runs, cementing his reputation as a player his side can depend on in crunch situations. 

4. Abhishek Kumar Dalhor - Majhi Mumbai

While batsmen tend to dominate the headlines in the ISPL, bowlers are expected to shine in this year’s competition, and Abhishek Kumar Dalhor is one who carries massive expectations after his performance in Season 2, where he finished as the Best Bowler of the tournament. 

His showing in the final, where he bagged two wickets to help Mumbai to the title, saw the franchise spend ₹26.65 lakh to retain him for Season 3. Dalhor’s disciplined bowling and deceptive variations are unmatched, and we’re looking forward to him controlling situations in death overs. 

5. Ketan Mhatre - Chennai Singams 

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If there is one batsman who can swing a game in a matter of overs, it is Ketan Mhatre. A fearsome opener from the Thane district, Mhatre is best known for his aggressive store play and fearless approach, which makes him exceptionally effective in the fast-paced ISPL. 

Retained by the Chennai Singams for a staggering ₹26.40 lakh, he ended last season with 384 runs in just 16 games, along with a strike rate of 180, which reinforced his reputation as a game-changer. If Chennai are to have a good campaign, Mhatre’s explosive starts will be key.