Teen sensation’s rise could take eye-watering turn as IPL millions set to be splashed

Teen sensation’s rise could take eye-watering turn as IPL millions set to be splashed

Teenage rising star Rehan Ahmed could take another step in his rapid ascent through the ranks of world cricket by earning an Indian Premier League contract.

The 18-year-old leg-spinner became England’s youngest men’s Test cricketer when he made his debut in the recently completed series finale in Pakistan.

Watch BBL12. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Warner’s warning for Green’s IPL dream | 01:14

MORE CRICKET NEWS

‘A GAME OF BAD BLOOD’: Inside story of 24-yr Aussie controversy that still haunts legend

‘HE WAS DARING THEM’: 15yo Warner’s shock gamble that marked him for greatness

RENEGADES VS HEAT: Heat star’s hat-trick in vain as Finch leads Renegades to victory after Dre Russ heroics

He then became the youngest debutant from any country to take five wickets in an innings, with his haul of 5-48 in Karachi helping England to a 3-0 series whitewash.

His performance in an eight-wicket win alerted the rest of the cricketing world to his undoubted ability and came just days before Friday’s player auction in Kochi for the money-spinning IPL.

NEW FOLLOW-ON PODCAST – O’Keeffe: How Aussie duo rose to stardom, Green’s IPL dilemma and why ‘the windmill works’

Listen below or subscribe in iTunes or Spotify

Ahmed is one of 27 English players who will go under the hammer. There had been reports Ahmed would ignore the lure of the Twenty20 franchise competition in order to start the County Championship season with Leicestershire in April.

But even though Ahmed had played just three first-class matches before making his Test debut, the England management believe the IPL could aid, rather than hamper, his development.

MORE CRICKET NEWS

ODD MAN OUT: Aussie great’s warning amid mega Boxing Day Test conundrum for selectors

‘THEY WERE DOWNSTAIRS GETTING DRUNK’: Crazy true story behind iconic Boxing Day epic

‘VERY, VERY ADAPTABLE’: National selector George Bailey casts doubt over Travis Head’s role in India

England red-ball coach Brendon McCullum, a seasoned IPL campaigner, was enthusiastic about the prospect of Ahmed playing in a tournament that features numerous global cricket stars.

“It would be awesome if he (Ahmed) did. I’ve been involved with the IPL a couple of times so sometimes it works out for guys and sometimes it doesn’t. Why not?,” The former New Zealand captain said on BBC Radio.

“Why not get an opportunity to go and play under different coaches and different captains and rub shoulders with different players and pick up those experiences? What 18-year-old kid anywhere else in world cricket is going to get those chances? I think we should encourage it.”