The Indian Premier League, or IPL, has been the heartbeat of cricket lovers for over a decade. The IPL has consistently delivered exhilarating cricket action since its inception, entertaining fans worldwide. However, there are some exceptional cricketers who have never played a single IPL match.
Cricketers Who Never Played IPL
IPL has witnessed some of the finest cricketing talents despite that there are some international cricket players who have not played in this league so far. Whether due to personal choice or unforeseen circumstances, their absence from the IPL will remain a topic of interest among cricket enthusiasts.
1) Joe Root – England
Joe Root, often hailed as one of the ‘Fab Four’ of modern cricket, alongside Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, is an epitome of batting brilliance. Despite his T20I credentials and skills, Joe Root has never played in IPL.
His absence in the IPL auctions and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) decisions in 2018 and 2019 to not permit his participation left fans wondering. In the 2021 season, Root once again opted to focus on Test cricket, underlining his commitment to the longest format.
2) James Anderson – England
James Anderson, the pace and swing virtuoso, stands tall as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. His remarkable feat of 600 wickets in Test cricket is a testament to his prowess. Surprisingly, Anderson never donned an IPL jersey, nor did he feature in T20Is for England. His dedication to the Test format remains unwavering, and he continues to defy age with his pace, precision, and sharpness.
3) Stuart Broad – England
Stuart Broad, another potent English fast bowler, is on this list of elites who refrained from IPL participation. Despite the IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) acquiring him for 1.8 crores in the 2011 season, he chose not to take part in the tournament. Instead, Broad concentrated solely on the Test format, carving a remarkable career in Test and ODI cricket.
4) Tamim Iqbal – Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal, the celebrated opening batsman of Bangladesh, boasts the unique achievement of scoring centuries in all three international formats. He briefly featured in the IPL with Pune Warriors India in 2012 and 2013 but never got a game. Disagreements between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pune Warriors India ended his IPL journey prematurely.
5) Vernon Philander – South Africa
Vernon Philander, known for his exceptional bowling skills, could have become a top IPL prospect. However, his commitments to county cricket in England took precedence over the IPL. Despite a spellbinding performance of 5 for 15 in an IPL season, philander remained elusive to the league, depriving fans of witnessing his bowling mastery.
6) Mohammadullah – Bangladesh
Mohammadullah, a Bangladeshi all-rounder, made it to IPL rosters but never had the opportunity to showcase his skills. His presence with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad went largely unnoticed.
7) Brian Lara – West Indies
Brian Lara, one of cricket’s all-time greats, flirted with the idea of joining the IPL in 2011. At the age of 42, his experience and prowess were undeniable. However, no IPL team extended an offer to the legendary West Indian batsman.
8) Kevin O’Brien – Ireland
Kevin O’Brien, renowned for his aggressive style of play, sought an IPL stint from 2008 to 2013 but went unnoticed in the auctions, despite his reputation as a dynamic all-rounder.
9) Mushfiqur Rahim – Bangladesh
Mushfiqur Rahim, an integral part of the Bangladeshi cricket team, persistently entered the IPL auctions for a decade. However, the coveted IPL contract remained elusive, and Rahim’s determination seemingly knows no bounds.
10) Gary Kirsten – South Africa
Gary Kirsten, while not a player, left his imprint on the IPL as the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). His contributions to the RCB squad were instrumental during his tenure.
11) Cameron Delport – South Africa
Cameron Delport, the versatile South African all-rounder, briefly wore the KKR colors but couldn’t secure a consistent spot. He eventually bid farewell to the IPL.
12) Nuwan Pradeep – Sri Lanka
Nuwan Pradeep, the Sri Lankan pacer, was signed by RCB even before his international debut. However, his IPL journey never truly took off, and he faded from the league’s radar.
13) Chirag Suri – UAE
Chirag Suri, the UAE all-rounder, earned a deal with the Gujarat Lions in 2017. Despite a few instances of playing only three foreign players, Suri never received an IPL cap.
Also Read: Top 10 Players Who Have Played for Most Teams in the IPL
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