How do IPL franchises scout for new talent?


IPL 2023 Winner

Now this is where the magic happens — behind all the glitz of auctions and stardom lies the IPL scouting grind 🕵️‍♂️🔥. The franchises are always hunting for the next Bumrah, Rinku, or Rashid before they blow up. Here's how IPL teams actually scout for new talent:

🧭 How IPL Franchises Scout for New Talent

1. 🏆 Domestic Tournaments = Gold Mines

IPL scouts are glued to tournaments like:

  • Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20)

  • Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A)

  • Ranji Trophy (Red-ball, but reveals temperament)

  • TNPL, KPL, MPL, etc. (Regional T20 leagues)

These events are like scouting showcases — pace, power, spin, smarts — all on display.

2. 🔍 Dedicated Scouting Teams

  • Most franchises now have full-time scouts (like MI’s Kiran More or DC’s Pravin Amre).

  • They attend matches year-round, tracking players’:

    • Technique

    • Temperament under pressure

    • Consistency

    • Match-winning ability

They don’t just look for stats — they look for mentality.

3. 📊 Data-Driven Analysis

  • Teams use advanced stats + AI tools to:

    • Identify match-up strengths

    • Spot under-the-radar performers

    • Track strike rates, economy, dot-ball %, and pressure moments

    • Compare performance across different pitch types

Moneyball meets Mohali.

4. 📽️ Video Footage & Match Simulation

  • Scouts review hours of match footage.

  • Players are also invited to closed trials or nets where coaches simulate match scenarios.

Can he bowl 3 yorkers in a row under pressure? Let’s find out 👀

5. 💬 Word of Mouth from Coaches & Mentors

  • Franchises keep tabs through:

    • Domestic team coaches

    • Ex-players

    • Net bowling consultants

    • Academy heads

If a coach says “watch this kid” — scouts are listening.

6. 🧪 Franchise Trials & Talent Hunts

  • Many teams host closed camps or “Talent Hunt” programs.

    • KKR's "Talent Search"

    • MI's “Reliance 1” + MI Cape Town synergy

    • RR's focus on Rajasthan local leagues

These are often where total unknowns become auction targets.

7. 🌍 Scouting Beyond India

  • Franchises with international reach (MI, RR, KKR) also scout:

    • Associate nation talent (e.g., UAE, Namibia)

    • U-19 World Cups

    • SA20, CPL, BBL, The Hundred

Like MI discovering Dewald Brevis or RR backing Obed McCoy — early movers win.

8. 🧠 Psychological & Fitness Testing

  • Franchises don’t just test cricket skills.

  • They assess:

    • Temperament

    • Work ethic

    • Fitness & injury history

    • Adaptability to pressure environments

“Does this player have the mentality to handle Wankhede at full volume?”

🌟 Success Stories from Scouting

Player Franchise Scouted From
Jasprit Bumrah MI Syed Mushtaq Ali (2013)
Rinku Singh KKR U.P. T20s + consistent trials
Varun Chakravarthy KKR TNPL, surprise mystery factor
T Natarajan SRH TNPL + practice nets
Yashasvi Jaiswal RR Domestic + U-19 World Cup
Dewald Brevis MI U-19 WC + MI Global scouting

🧠 Final Word:

“Scouting is the soul of the squad. The auction is just where the world notices.”

The franchises that scout smart and early? They don’t buy superstars — they build them. 💥