For a decade now, the Indian Premier League has served as a platform for cricketers from different countries to share the same roof. As a result, the league has produced a terrific brand of cricket over the years. However, a large number of players fail to carve a niche of their own, and get lost among the hundreds who battle it out on the field. During the initial years of the T20 extravaganza, several well-known foreign players were signed up by the different franchises, some of whom couldn’t live up to their reputation, while others were a victim of off-field circumstances. Subsequently, they faded away from our memories. Here’s looking back at 5 foreign players you probably didn’t remember as once a part of the IPL.
Distinguished for being the youngest cricket captain ever, former Zimbabwe skipper and wicket-keeper batsman Tatenda Taibu played for the two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural season of the IPL. The only Zimbabwean in the IPL that year, Taibu was bought for US$125 000 for a three-year contract. However, he was snubbed for the second edition despite his contract extending for another two years. Taibu wasn’t played as often as he would have liked to. In the 3 games he played in 2008, he scored only 31 runs. Subsequently, his IPL stint ended in his debut season itself.
Tatenda Taibu
The Pakistani batsman was sold to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural edition of the IPL. An attacking batsman, Misbah failed to replicate his international stardom in the T20 extravaganza, scoring only 117 runs at an abysmal average of 17 from eight games. Soon later, Pakistani players were snubbed in the IPL auctions after political tension arose on both sides of the Wagah Border. The former international captain’s IPL stint ended in only a solitary season.
Misbah Ul Haq
A few impressive international records brought the Bangladesh batsman a lucrative IPL contract. Ashraful was bought by Mumbai Indians for the second season of the tournament, but being among a settled team which boasted of some big names, Ashraful spent just one game on the field and rest on the bench. In that one game too, he put up a disastrous performance. Soon later followed spot-fixing allegations against him in the Bangladesh Premier League, while the batsman’s form also deteriorated. Next year, none of the IPL franchised showed interest in Ashraful and he slowly faded away from IPL’s book of memories.
Mohammad Ashraful
The right arm pacer from New Zealand was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the third edition of the IPL. In the 8 IPL matches that he played, Bond, regarded as one of the best bowlers of his time, scalped 9 wickets at an economy of 7.23. However, the quick’s career was marred by several injuries which had a poor impact on his performances. He had no takers in the IPL next year, and is currently serving as the bowling coach of the Mumbai Indians.
Shane Bond
Australian team’s controversial coach Darren Lehmann, was a part of the victorious Rajasthan Royals squad in IPL 8. However, in the presence of better performers in the team, Lehmann played just two games that season, in which he averaged only 9 with the bat. A few more chances in the playing XI would have perhaps helped the Australian get some runs. He went unsold in the auctions next year but returned to the tournament as the coach of the Deccan Chargers from 2009 to 2012 and Kings XI Punjab in 2013.
Darren Lehmann
