One of the oft-repeated features of the IPL is that it provides a platform for budding Indian talents to shine on a world stage and helps them progress into the national team. While the IPL has undoubtedly helped a number of unknown young Indian cricketers make a solid impression, the tournament has also given quite a few international names a plank to get recognised.
Here we look at five such international players who built their national fame through their exploits in the IPL.
Shaun Marsh (Australia) :
The very talented left-handed Australian batsman Shaun Marsh had been knocking on the national selectors’ doors for quite some time in the mid- 2000s, but opportunity had evaded him. It was the IPL 2008, though, which went on to transform his fortunes. Picked by the Kings XI Punjab franchise for a nominal sum, Marsh became the leading run-scorer of the season by some distance as he plundered a whopping 616 runs in just 11 matches at an incredible average of 68.44 with 5 half-centuries and a century.
This majestic performance bought Shaun Marsh instant fame across the globe. It resulted in him being selected for Australia’s tour of the West Indies later that year, where he posted a Man-of-the-Match Award winning performance on ODI debut. Marsh has since been in and out of the Australian team, if not consistent at the international level.
Shane Watson (Australia) :
Although Shane Watson had made his debut for Australia in 2002, inconsistent performances through 2003-2007 seasons had made his place in the limited overs team vulnerable. He wasn’t even part of the Australian squad for the 2007 World T20 and things weren’t looking too bright for him. And then IPL 2008 happened. Watson was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals and he went on to play a pivotal role in helping the team clinch the trophy through his all-round feats.
Smashing 472 runs at an average of 47.20 and plucking 17 wickets at an average of 22.52, Watson was the Player of the Tournament of the 2008 IPL and had made a solid statement to the Australian selectors. The performance had an instant effect as Watson then became the opener of the Australian ODI team, a role he really thrived in.
His exploits in the IPL boosted Watson’s confidence tremendously and in the years following the 2008 IPL, he became one of the most prominent all-rounders in world cricket for some time to come.
Kieron Pollard (West Indies) :
The burly West Indian batsman first grabbed headlines in the 2009 Champions League T20 where he smashed a brutal 18-ball 54 against New South Wales playing for Trinidad and Tobago. His hard-hitting abilities got him instant recognition and he was picked up by the Mumbai Indians in the 2010 IPL auction.
Although Pollard had made his limited overs debut for the West Indies by then, he hadn’t been able to cement his place. But his 2010 stint with the Mumbai Indians changed all that as he struck 273 runs in the season at an astounding strike-rate of 185.71. Along with his bludgeoning abilities, Pollard also turned out to be a very handy medium-pacer and snared 15 wickets in the season for Mumbai.
This emphatic performance paved the way for Pollard to be a prominent and regular member of the West Indies limited overs side in the years to follow.
Faf du Plessis (South Africa) :
Even though Faf du Plessis had played a few ODI games for South Africa before he featured in the IPL in the 2012 season, he hadn’t really been able to establish himself. The IPL altered that as du Plessis, who was bought by the Chennai Super Kings, had a breakout 2012 season.
Playing at the top of the order, the stylish South African batsman collected 398 runs in 13 matches. Along with his fluent batting, what also came to the fore were his remarkable fielding abilities and within a season du Plessis had become a known star around the world.
Months after his terrific stint with the Chennai Super Kings in 2012, Faf became a regular member of the South African unit and even made his Test debut later that year. Since then, he has been one of the better batsmen in international cricket and has captained his country across all formats.
Sunil Narine (West Indies) :
Presently one of the most dangerous spinners in the shortest format, West Indian Sunil Narine rose to fame primarily due to the IPL. When the Kolkata Knight Riders bought the mystery off-spinner in the 2012 season, he was relatively unheard of. But 24 wickets from 15 matches at a stunning average of 13.50 along with a Player of the Tournament trophy in his debut IPL season turned his fortunes around.
The off-spinner’s ability to bowl miserly overs and continually flummox the best of batsmen with his spin and guile got him instant recognition the world over. Sunil Narine hence became a superstar after the IPL 2012 season and went on to claim a permanent spot in the West Indian limited overs team in the days to follow. In fact, courtesy his breakthrough performances in the IPL, Narine is the most valued bowler across several T20 leagues through the globe today.
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