The Indian Premier League (IPL) has often been criticized when the Men in Blue have not performed well, especially in ICC events. However, in recent years, the consistency in India's performances shows
exactly how the league has helped in nurturing talented cricketers who have gone on to do well for the nation.
For a long time, Indian selectors picked those players in the T20 team who played the other formats as well. However, in recent times, several players have been designated as T20 specialists and are doing well for the national team in the shortest format of the game. They are being picked after impressing in the IPL.
Indian players who earned their spot through IPL now impressing fans
5. Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma played a gritty knock under pressure against Pakistan in the T20 Asia Cup 2025. The southpaw helped India win the match with an unbeaten half-century. He also slammed back-to-back centuries against South Africa last year.
Tilak made it to the Indian team after notable performances for the Mumbai Indians (MI) since his debut in IPL 2022. During his stint with MI, Tilak has batted at different positions and shown great flexibility and adaptability.
4. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma is one of India's most prolific batters in T20 cricket at the moment. He finished as the highest run-scorer during the 2025 T20 Asia Cup and won the Player of the Tournament award. The 25-year-old has played 24 T20Is, amassing 849 runs at an average of 36.91 and a strike rate of 196.08.
Abhishek started his IPL career at Delhi Capitals in 2018. However, he had a dream season while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, scoring 484 runs at a strike rate of 204.21. The left-handed batter will be one of the key players for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
3. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh is the leading wicket-taker for India in T20I cricket. He has bagged 101 wickets from 65 T20Is at an average of 18.76 and a strike rate of 13.4. The left-arm seamer has a decent economy rate of 8.37.
Arshdeep was called up to the Punjab Kings' trials ahead of IPL 2019. He was subsequently roped in by the franchise, and he made his debut against the Rajasthan Royals in April 2019. After putting in some consistent performances for Punjab Kings and his state team, Punjab, Arshdeep made his international debut in July 2022. He hasn't put a foot wrong since.
2. Varun Chakaravarthy
Varun Chakaravarthy burst onto the scene after joining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of IPL 2020. He formed a lethal pairing with Sunil Narine and made KKR a force to reckon with, especially on spin-friendly tracks. However, Chakaravarthy didn't have a memorable time after making his international debut in July 2021. While he fared decently against Sri Lanka in his debut series, Chakaravarthy failed to make an impact during the T20 World Cup later that year.
He took a couple of seasons to get back his mojo, and from the middle of IPL 2024, he looked like a different bowler altogether, picking up wickets for fun. The mystery spinner has picked up 40 wickets from 24 T20Is at an average of 15.6. He has also had a promising start to his ODI career.
1. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is the current captain of India's T20 team. He took charge in mid-2024, and the Men in Blue have not lost a series so far under his astute leadership. Suryakumar made his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians in 2012. However, he played consistently after joining KKR. His ability to go after the bowlers from the outset impressed cricket enthusiasts.
After Suryakumar rejoined MI, he got opportunities to bat in the top-order, and he unleashed his true potential. After remaining in contention for a few years, Suryakumar eventually made his international debut in March 2021. He started his career with a six off the first ball he faced. It was bowled by Jofra Archer. The 35-year-old had also gone up to No. 1 in the T20 rankings for batters previously. The Mumbai-born is among the first lot of IPL batters who became T20 specialists for India.
