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Players Who Got India Call-Up Before IPL Debut [Source: AFP, X]
The IPL, since its inception in 2008, has become the most competitive and successful franchise league globally. Apart from the financial gains, it is a platform for young Indians to showcase their raw talent.
Over the last couple of decades, IPL transformed from being a franchise league to being the pathway for the Indian senior cricket team. Several players were fast-tracked from the IPL directly into the senior team, left, right and centre.
While a lot of such IPL-grown talents turned out to be big stars, a few players also found their footing the hard way. There do exist a few names who didn’t need IPL to prove their mettle as they found their way in through consistent domestic performances.
On that note, here’s a list of 5 players who received their maiden Indian call-up before their IPL debut yet failed to wear India colours before making their debut in the IPL.
Priyank Panchal
A seasoned top-order batter from Gujarat, Priyank Panchal is one of the unlucky candidates to feature in this list. With experience of having played over 100 first-class games, Panchal received his maiden India call-up during the 2021 Test series against England. However, he was a stand-by and didn’t make his debut.
That same year, Panchal replaced Rohit Sharma as an injury replacement in the South Africa series but ended up warming the bench. Later in 2022, Priyank Panchal was selected by Punjab Kings in the IPL but once again was deprived of a debut. Since his retirement in 2025, Priyank failed to find a place in the IPL as well as Team India.
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Abhimanyu Easwaran
Abhimanyu Easwaran is another curious case of missed opportunities. Owing to his consistency in domestic cricket, Easwaran was named in multiple Test squads since 2021. He was a backup wicket-keeper for the longest time until Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel found their way in through the IPL.
Abhimanyu also tried his hand at the IPL when he registered for the mini-auction in 2026, but failed to grab a deal. Hence, while Abhimanyu Easwaran received his maiden India call-up before the IPL debut, he could neither debut for India nor in the IPL, which makes him one of the unluckiest cricketers in India.
Saurabh Kumar
A genuine all-rounder from UP, Saurabh Kumar received a national call-up during the 2021 Test series between India and England after a successful Ranji Trophy season. He served as a net bowler and had not featured in the IPL. Soon after getting recognised by the Indian management, Kumar got the attention of Punjab Kings, who took him in during the IPL 2021 auction.
Saurabh Kumar also got picked for the Test series against Sri Lanka, but despite everything, he failed to make a debut for India. Even PBKS couldn’t find a slot for him as he was deprived of deserving opportunities.
Kuldeep Yadav
A surprising name in this list is Kuldeep Yadav. The leg-spinner has been playing in the IPL since 2016. He eventually made his India debut in 2017. However, much before that, Kuldeep had the attention of the selectors.
Not many know that during the 2014 series between India and West Indies, Kuldeep Yadav received his maiden national call-up. But he was merely a backup and warmed the bench. It was only after his IPL debut that he managed to debut for the Indian cricket team as well. Still, his journey was not largely influenced by the IPL.
Sai Kishore
Sai Kishore is another gem unearthed from India's robust domestic system. An all-rounder from Tamil Nadu, Kishore entered the IPL in 2020 through CSK but didn’t make his debut. Still, he received his maiden India call-up in 2021 when India toured Sri Lanka.
But it was only after his IPL debut in 2022 for Gujarat Titans that Sai Kishore played his first game for India in the T20I format in 2023 during the Asian Games. Hence, Sai Kishore’s journey has been full of hits and misses, and he is still fighting his way back through domestic and county performances.
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