The ninth edition of the Indian Premier League delivered yet another season of exciting, intense and dramatic action for almost two months. This edition of the cash-rich tournament saw many interesting things such as pacers being more effective on flat Indian tracks and part-time wicketkeepers getting the nod ahead of proper keepers.
Every season of the IPL comes as an opportunity for domestic cricketers who want to make their mark while playing with star players. The stage also gives an equal opportunity for the seasoned campaigners to re-launch themselves into the orbit of stardom.
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Here we take a look back at this season’s action and list out five seasoned campaigners who have been around for a long time but lost their shine on the way and used the IPL 2016 as their stage to perform.
#1 Yusuf Pathan (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The big-hitting right-handed batsman was one of the biggest stars in the inaugural edition of the cash-rich tournament back in 2008. The 33-year-old was also an important member of the Indian limited-overs team then and was a member of the victorious World Cup 2011 squad.
However, the Baroda-born cricketer hasn’t played a single international match since 2012. He also struggled to justify his standards with his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders. The 33-year-old cricketer also had a couple of disappointing seasons in domestic cricket. Pathan however, finished this year’s tournament with the second highest batting average behind Virat Kohli.
Yusuf was one of the key members of the KKR team which qualified for the playoffs in this year’s competition. In 15 matches this season, he smashed 361 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 72.20 and with an explosive strike-rate of 145.56. The big-hitter scored three superb half-centuries in the tournament.
#2 Zaheer Khan (Delhi Daredevils)
The left-arm fast bowler is one of Indian’s all time greats. The Shrirampur-born pacer has more than 600 international wickets to his name. Zaheer retired from international cricket in 2014 after missing out on international limited-overs cricket since 2012.
However, he continued to play in the IPL after his retirement. In this year’s tournament, the Mumbai pacer was announced as the captain of the Delhi daredevils. The veteran bowler not only impressed with his precise bowling but also gained praise for the way he led his young side.
Zaheer picked up 10 wickets in 12 matches this season and the 27-year-old cricketer’s stats as a bowler might not be spectacular but the way he emerged as a captain was outstanding. Under his leadership, the young Delhi team, which looked like the weakest side on paper, emerged as one of the most exciting teams in this year’s completion.
#3. Praveen Kumar (Gujarat Lions))
The right-arm fast bowler was once one of the premium swing bowlers of the Indian cricket team but hasn’t played since 2012. Praveen who has had a serious disciplinary issue both on and off the field throughout his career was declared “mentally unfit” to play by the BCCI in 2013.
The 29-year-old made a comeback and was bought for Rs 3.5 crore by the Gujarat Lions in the last IPL auctions. The Meerut-born cricketer, who has more than 100 international wickets to his name, became an instrumental part of the Suresh Raina-led side which emerged as No.1 in the league phase of the tournament.
In 16 matches the right-arm pacer picked up 9 wickets at an average of 44.55 and with an economy rate of 7.78. Though Gujarat did not qualify for the final as they lost both their matches in the playoffs, Praveen’s disciplined bowling was one of the key weapons in their armory.
#4 Yuvraj Singh (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
The left-handed batsman from Punjab is one of the most elegant cricketers when he is at his best but off late he had struggled to perform for his team. Despite making his comeback into the Indian team, the 34-year-old failed to make a big impact in the ICC World T20 before being replaced due to an ankle injury.
The middle order batsmen missed the first half of the season due to the injury he picked up while playing against Australia in the World T20 in India. However, after making his debut for the Sunrisers Hyderabad he became an instrumental part of the champion team.
In 10 matches this season Yuvraj scored 236 runs at an average of 26.22 and with a strike-rate of 131.84 along with 13 glamorous maximums. The left-hand batsman smashed two well make half-centuries in the tournament and also made a quick fire 30 odd runs in the final. It almost looked like the “Sixer King” is back in his prime.
#5 Bipul Sharma (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
The left-arm spinner and handy lower middle-order batsman started his journey in domestic circuit in 2005, when he made his debut for Punjab. He was first picked by the Punjab-based franchise Kings XI Punjab in 2010 but didn’t get many chances there. After a rather unsuccessful time with Punjab Ranji team, he made a switch to Himachal Pradesh.
He was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015 and two years down the line he became one of the key members of the recently crowned IPL champions. Though he played only 7 matches in the tournament, Bipul was an important member of the champions in the two massive knockout games.
His big-hitting ability proved to be the x-factor in the second eliminator against Gujarat Lions. He also picked up the wicket of AB de Villiers in the all-important final and was instrumental in their victory that night. In 7 matches, Bipul scored 51 runs but ended the tournament with a massive strike-rate of 204. The left-arm spinner also picked up three wickets for his team.
It has been a superb two months for the Amritsar-born 32-year-old, from being dropped by his previous franchise in 2014 and spending the season without an IPL team to emerging as a key member of the champion team.
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