Tom Banton (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Kolkata Knight Riders have a problem of plenty when it comes to their top-order, with Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine and Tom Banton all vying for the opener’s slot. The young Englishman, at just 21 years of age, is being touted as the next big star and could do serious damage with the bat in the upcoming Indian domestic league.
With a number of innovative shots in his arsenal, Banton has already plied his trade in the Big Bash League and the Pakistan Super League, and will be eager to impress in his maiden outing in the IPL.
The youngster bagged the spotlight after an impressive showing in last year’s Vitality Blast, where he hit 487 runs at a strike rate of 161.8 and an average of 40.58. Overall, he has played 40 T20 matches with one hundred and eight fifties to his name at a strike rate of over 154, and, if given consistent chances, he could end up as a match-winner for KKR.