3 players from Associate Nations who have been a part of IPL

The Indian Premier League is the most watched cricket league in the world and it is every player's dream to be a part of an IPL franchise. While many big players have been associated with the cash-rich league ever since its inception, there have been a lot of players from lower-ranked nations who have made it to the league as well. Over the 11 years, a plethora of players from weaker Test playing nations like Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have made their mark in the league.

Also, a bunch of cricketers from Associate Nations registered their names for the IPL auction. However, only 3 of them have been lucky enough to earn an IPL contract. Surprisingly, there has been no Irish player in 11 years to earn an IPL contract.

Here are 3 players from upcoming nations who have been able to play the T20 league in India.

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#1 Sandeep Lamichhane - Nepal (Delhi Daredevils, IPL 2018)

Lamichhane made his IPL debut in 2018

The 18-year-old spinner from Nepal made headlines after the Delhi franchise purchased him in the IPL player auction 2018. Very few expected the Nepalese youngster to receive an opportunity to play in the league. However, poor performances of the top guns led to the inclusion of Lamichhane in DD's playing XI.

Delhi won 2 out of the 3 matches Sandeep played in. His economical bowling against the Chennai Super Kings and a match-winning 3/36 against Mumbai Indians put the Nepalese lad into the limelight.

#2 Ryan ten Doeschate - The Netherlands (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2011-15)

Ryan ten Doeschate was a part of the KKR franchise

The only player from the Netherlands to have played in the IPL, Ryan ten Doeschate was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise for 5 seasons. He scored 326 runs donning the Purple Jersey in the 29 matches he played. The right-handed all-rounder had a healthy strike-rate of 138.72 along with an average of 23.28. His highest score was 70* , which Tendo scored in his debut season.

Tendo did not get enough opportunities to bowl, as in 5 seasons he picked up only 2 wickets from the 13 overs he bowled. The 2011 season was the best season for the Dutch player, who was released before the 2016 auction. Ten Doeschate also played for the Knight Riders in the Champions League T20.

#3 Chirag Suri - UAE (Gujarat Lions, 2017)

Though Chirag did not get an opportunity to play, he did not miss out on a selfie with Sachin

Not many IPL fans would know about Chirag Suri as the Gujarat Lions never gave him a chance to play. The Emirates cricketer was bought by the Gujarat franchise for 10 lakhs in the IPL player auction 2017. Despite the lack of adequate foreign players in the ending stages of the 2017 season, the Rajkot-based franchise fielded an additional Indian player instead of having Suri in the playing XI.

The 23-year-old was a part of the U.A.E team which faced Australia in a T20I match recently.

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With many talented players like Kevin O' Brien, Shaiman Anwar, Anshuman Rath emerging from the Associate Nations, who do you think will be the next to earn an IPL contract? Share your opinions in the comments box below.