IPL 2018: How the Under-19 stars fared

The just-concluded IPL 2018 was compelling for a myriad reasons. The two best sides contested in the final, the winners completed their fairy tale with the title, the defending champions found life tough, while teams with new captains and fresh sets of players found their feet. Fielding standards were raised, catches made jaws drop again and the a huge number of sixes were peeled off.

But what also defined the league this season was how the host of Under-19 players from around the world fared:

Rashid Khan

"I think, this year, Rashid Khan has joined Lasith Malinga and Sunil Narine in the pantheon of IPL bowlers," tweeted Harsha Bhogle. The Afghanistan magician won Sunrisers Hyderabad games single-handedly like the two he has been compared to. In a season where their leading bowler - Bhuvneshwar Kumar battled injury and form, Rashid rose to the occasion, picking up 21 wickets.

Whenever Kane Williamson needed to contain the run flow or pick a wicket, Rashid was called upon and that was the sort of reputation he built for himself this season. Also, what was more impressive was Rashid's contribution in the other two departments. For someone who started as a batsman, the leg-spinner got very few opportunities to showcase his talent with the bat, but when he did, he won them the Qualifier against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Matches: 17 Runs: 59 HS: 34 Avg: 11.80 SR: 190.32 Wickets: 21 Avg: 21.81 Econ: 6.74

Prithvi Shaw

The U-19 World Cup-winning captain had to wait for his turn in the Delhi Daredevils setup. Once regular skipper Gautam Gambhir handed over the reins to Shreyas Iyer, Shaw got regular opportunity in the XI. The 18-year-old made the most of it by scoring his maiden IPL fifty in only his second game and formed a solid alliance with Iyer and Rishabh Pant. The troika were often left to carry the responsibility of a fragile Daredevils batting line-up.

Matches: 9 Runs: 245 HS: 65 Avg: 27.22 SR: 153.12

Shivam Mavi

Another World Cup-winning tyro needed the universe to conspire for him to make it to the Kolkata Knight Riders XI - Vinay Kumar's poor outing coupled with Kamlesh Nagarkoti's injury gave Mavi his first IPL cap. Though he didn't set the tournament on fire, the fast bowler made the world notice him with his pace and especially the spell he bowled to Chris Gayle. He also had the backing of captain Dinesh Karthik, who trusted him with the hard overs even after Iyer smashed 28 runs off him in one of the games.

Matches: 9 Wickets: 5 Avg: 54 Econ: 9.64 BBI: 1/14

Shubman Gill

The Kolkata Knight Riders invested in several U-19 players, and Gill like most of his peers didn't start immediately. Rinku Singh's inconsistent performances led to the team management preferring Gill in their starting line-up. However, batting lower down the order, the stylishly right hander barely got a chance to showcase his talent.

In a home game against Chennai Super Kings, Gill stitched a match-winning partnership with Karthik and in the process recorded his maiden IPL fifty. Getting quality time in the middle was far and few but whatever time he got, Gill always impressed.

Matches: 11 Runs: 203 HS: 57 Avg: 33.83 SR: 146.04

Ishan Kishan

Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in the auction to land Ishan Kishan for INR 6.2 crores - he was the highest paid Indian teenager. With such a price tag there was huge responsibility on the 19-year-old.

The wicket-keeper recorded three ducks in the season but also had his moments where he contributed to the team, noticeably the match-winning 21-ball 62 against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Matches: 14. Runs: 275. HS: 62. Avg: 22.92. SR: 149.46

Washington Sundar

All the talk after the auction was how Royal Challengers Bangalore have a balanced squad with the inclusion of Washington Sundar. The Man of the Series in Nidahas Trophy was supposed to play a vital role in the franchise. However, not bowling in the powerplay and being used in the middle overs hampered the offspinner, who leaked runs at close to 10-an-over.

He was in and out of the side and when Bangalore finally found their balance, it was without Sundar in the starting XI. England all-rounder Moeen Ali had taken his place and he did a better job during the middle period.

Matches: 7 Runs: 65 HS: 35 Avg: 21.67 SR: 171.05 Wickets: 4 Avg: 48 Econ: 9.6

Sandeep Lamichhane

The first Nepal player to grace the IPL, Sandeep Lamichhane had to wait until Delhi Daredevils were knocked out from the playoff race to get his chance. The 17-year-old played only three games, but was responsible for two wins out of Delhi's five this season.

He made his debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore and held his own against Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, being the most economical bowler in that defeat. His best moment came against Mumbai Indians, where he combined with fellow leggie Amit Mishra to knock the defending champions out of the tournament.

Matches: 3 Wickets: 5 Avg: 16.40 Eco: 6.83 BBI: 3/36

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

The other Afghanistan magician who left everyone awestruck with his variations and accuracy. The 17-year-old befuddled some top batsman, none more than Virat Kohli with the ball of the tournament - a googly that pitched outside off, drew the RCB captain into a drive and then spun in past the gap to rattle the stumps.

When Kings XI Punjab were on their unbeatable streak, Mujeeb played a major role. However, an injury to his bowling finger against Kolkata Knight Riders cut short his participation and in the process ousted Kings XI from the tournament. Mujeeb was in the race for the purple cap until that injury.

Matches: 11 Wickets: 14 Avg: 20.64 Eco: 6.99. BBI: 3/27

Abhishek Sharma

Yet another flamboyant teenager who got his share of the limelight once his team's campaign ended. Delhi Daredevils gave Abhishek Sharma his first IPL cap in an inconsequential game for the franchise and the allrounder grabbed his chance by scoring a quickfire 19-ball 46 - against Royal Challengers Bangalore. He also played a small cameo in Delhi's final game of the season versus Mumbai Indians.

Matches: 3 Runs: 63 Avg: 63 SR: 190.91 HS: 46