New faces, significant impact- The best debutant performances that lit up IPL 2024 ahead of the 2025 season
Every IPL season unveils fresh talent, but only a select few seize the spotlight. Some fizzle out, while others make a statement loud enough for the cricketing world to take notice. The 2024 season featured its fair share of debutants who didn't just play—they commanded the stage.
With IPL 2025 impending, let's relive the breakout performances that made last season unforgettable. From fiery spells to jaw-dropping innings, these young stars transformed dreams into reality.
Kolkata Knight Riders took a gamble on 18-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and he repaid their faith. Although he didn't get to bat in his first match, he certainly made up for it in his next outing. Against the Delhi Capitals, batting at No. 3, he played a blistering innings of 54 off just 27 balls, contributing to a record-breaking total of 272. His stroke play and composure belied his youth, making him an instant fan favourite.
In ten matches, he scored 163 runs at an average of 23.29, including 16 boundaries and eight sixes. Kolkata recognised his potential, securing his services for ₹3 crore in the 2025 auction. His ability to score rapidly and adapt to various match situations makes him a promising player for the future.
Ashutosh Sharma of Punjab Kings emerged as an unexpected hero. Batting at No. 8 in his debut match, he played a fearless innings of 31 off 17 balls, aiding his team in chasing down 200 against Gujarat Titans. In the following game, he clobbered an unbeaten 33 off 15 balls, including three massive sixes off Jaydev Unadkat. Although Punjab fell short by two runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ashutosh's fighting spirit was admirable.
His standout performance came against Mumbai Indians, where he hammered 61 off 28 balls, demonstrating his ability to anchor the innings. He proved that he could handle high-pressure situations in just a few matches. Finishing the season with 189 runs at a strike rate of 167.25, Ashutosh established himself as a reliable finisher.
Gerald Coetzee from South Africa proved to be a crucial asset for the Mumbai Indians. Acquired for ₹5 crore, he justified his price tag with consistently impressive wicket-taking performances. In his debut season, he played in 10 matches and took 13 wickets, including a spectacular spell of 4/34. Although his economy rate was 10.18, his ability to claim key wickets rendered him indispensable.
Coetzee's aggressive bowling and fiery pace provided Mumbai with an advantage in crucial matches. Although his batting opportunities were limited, his power-hitting further down the order suggested that he is an all-rounder in the making. If Mumbai supports him for another season, he could develop into a match-winner.
Delhi Capitals' Jake Fraser-McGurk made a sensational entrance. In one of his early matches, he smashed 55 runs off 35 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. However, the real fireworks occurred against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he hammered a fifty off just 15 balls—one of the fastest in IPL history. The Australian batter maintained his aggressive style throughout the season, finishing with 330 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 234.04.
He registered four half-centuries, three of which came in under 19 balls. No batter with at least 300 IPL runs achieved a strike rate of even 180, making his statistics even more remarkable. Against Mumbai Indians, he amassed 78 runs off merely 24 balls during the powerplay—the third-highest in IPL history. His ability to dominate the early overs made him one of the most formidable hitters of IPL 2024.
Mayank Yadav arrived on the scene like a tempest. Playing for the Lucknow Super Giants, he made his debut against the Punjab Kings and immediately caught attention. The young pacer bowled at 155.8 km/h in his first match—the fastest delivery of the season. He quickly backed up his impressive speed, claiming three wickets for 27 runs. Nine of his 24 deliveries surpassed the 150 km/h mark, unsettling Punjab's batters.
His impact didn't end there. Against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mayank set a new record, bowling the fastest delivery of the match at 156.7 km/h. He claimed another three-wicket haul, proving he was more than just pace. Unfortunately, a side strain curtailed his season after just four matches. However, in that brief period, he showcased glimpses of a future Indian fast-bowling star.
