The opening weeks of IPL 2025 have spotlighted obscure cricketing talents rising to prominence, showcasing the evolving strength of IPL scouting systems. Mumbai Indians' Vignesh Puthur and Ashwani Kumar dazzled on debut, with Puthur's spin and Kumar's pace reinforcing MI's reputation for unearthing gems. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals' Ashutosh Sharma, originally scouted by Punjab Kings, delivered a match-winning knock, underlining his potential.
Over the years, IPL teams have intensified their quest for a competitive edge, building robust scouting networks to scour domestic matches for promising players. Mumbai Indians pioneered this approach, discovering stars like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya before they were household names, and rival teams are now catching up. Punjab Kings' find in Ashutosh and the discovery of others players like Venkatesh Iyer (KKR) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK) highlight this trend. As IPL 2025 unfolds, check out the top eleven gems that were unearthed before the world knew them, proving that scouting is now a game-changer for both players and Indian cricket.
From Jasprit Bumrah to Hardik Pandya: 11 Players Who Were First Discovered by IPL Teams
Hardik Pandya - Scouted By Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya was scouted by Mumbai Indians in 2015, marking the start of a stellar cricket career. His explosive all-round abilities quickly made him standout, contributing significantly to MI's title wins in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Beyond IPL, he's a key player for India, notably in the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
His pinnacle IPL achievement came in 2022 when he captained Gujarat Titans (GT) to the title in their debut season, scoring 487 runs and taking 8 wickets. Returning to MI in 2024, he took over as captain for IPL 2025, leading a star-studded squad including Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma.
Jasprit Bumrah - Scouted By Mumbai Indians
Jasprit Bumrah, discovered by Mumbai Indians in 2013, redefined fast bowling in the IPL with his unorthodox action and pinpoint yorkers. His IPL achievements include being MI's leading wicket-taker, with over 160 wickets across seasons, and playing a pivotal role in their five title wins (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020). In IPL 2025, Bumrah was retained by the franchise for ₹18 crore, but he is yet to feature, owing to an injury. He translated his IPL success to international stage, and is now counted among the most versatile bowlers going around.
Venkatesh Iyer - Scouted by Kolkata Knight Riders
In Venkatesh Iyer, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) found a dynamic all-rounder who can bat at multiple positions and also contribute with the ball. In his breakthrough season in 2021, Iyer scored 370 runs, including a fifty in the final, though Kolkata lost that match. In 2024, he smashed an unbeaten 52 in the final, helping KKR clinch their third title. Iyer also made an international debut, but soon feel out of favour. For IPL 2025, Iyer stays with KKR, part of a formidable lineup under Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy, alongside Sunil Narine and Andre Russell.
Varun Chakravarthy - Scouted by Punjab Kings
Varun Chakravarthy was first spotted by Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2019, but failed to leave his mark. His IPL highlight came in 2020 with Kolkata Knight Riders, taking a five-wicket haul (5/20) against Delhi Capitals, finishing with 17 wickets that season. In 2025, he's back with KKR, retained for his spin prowess, complementing Sunil Narine in a title-defending squad. Chakravarthy's knack for deceiving batsmen with variations has earned him India caps and a reputation as a T20 specialist. He recently played a crucial role in guiding India to Champions Trophy triumph, also picking five wickets on his debut.
Arshdeep Singh - Scouted by Punjab Kings
Arshdeep Singh, scouted by Punjab Kings in 2019, emerged as a left-arm pace sensation that India always desired since the days of Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra. He is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways in the Powerplay, and his death over mastery. Arshdeep was fast-tracked into the national setup, and he has now become the leading wicket-taker for India in T20s.
Ashutosh Sharma - Scouted by Punjab Kings
Ashutosh Sharma was unearthed by Punjab Kings in 2024 at the base price, but the franchise released him just after a season. For IPL 2025, he's moved to Delhi Capitals, joining Axar Patel's team with KL Rahul and Mitchell Starc. He single-handedly won a match for Delhi Capitals earlier this season, against Lucknow Super Giants, scoring a terrific half-century.
Abdul Samad - Scouted by Sunrisers Hyderabad
Abdul Samad, scouted by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2020 at the request of Irfan Pathan, is a hard-hitting batter from Jammu & Kashmir. Consistency eluded Samad last season, where he managed 178 runs in 16 games, and was released by the franchise. He was picked by Lucknow Super Giants in the mega auction and has already played a breezy cameo this season. His six-hitting prowess coupled with medium-pace bowling make him a unique IPL talent.
Ruturaj Gaikwad - Scouted by Chennai Super Kings
Ruturaj Gaikwad, spotted by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2019, blossomed into a batting maestro. His IPL peak was 2021, scoring 635 runs to win the Orange Cap, aiding CSK's title triumph. He was retained for ₹18 crore for IPL 2025, and he leads a squad that also has veterans like MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. Gaikwad's elegant strokeplay and consistency has made him one of the most promising players. He is touted as the next opening batter for India.
Matheesha Pathirana - Scouted by Chennai Super Kings
Matheesha Pathirana, dubbed "Baby Malinga," was scouted by Chennai Super Kings in 2022. He claimed 19 wickets in 2023, with slinky yorkers and quirky action that left batters puzzled. Pathirana's T20I success for Sri Lanka owes much to CSK's foresight in harnessing his raw pace.
Krunal Pandya - Scouted by Mumbai Indians
Krunal Pandya, scouted by Mumbai Indians in 2016, shone as an all-rounder. His IPL highlight was 2017, scoring 86 in the final to secure MI's third title, finishing with 243 runs and 10 wickets. In 2025, he's with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Krunal's Baroda domestic feats and India appearances stem from MI's early trust. His left-arm spin and power-hitting add depth to RCB's quest for a maiden IPL crown.
Ashwani Kumar – Mumbai Indians
Two days ago, Mumbai Indians handed a debut to another pacer, Ashwani Kumar, who justified the faith shown by the franchise with a four-wicket haul. He triggered an epic collapse from which Kolkata could never recover. Mumbai Indians finally tasted the first victory of this season, and fans are excited to see how Ashwani’s journey unfurls from here.
