Divided by teams, United by blood

Seeing their child representing the country at the highest level is a proud moment for any parent. And when the younger sibling replicates the elder in attaining such success, it only gets better.

Cricket has seen many families giving generations of cricketers. Examples of brothers playing the sport are innumerable with those coming to mind being the Waughs, the Chappells, the Flowers, the Pathans and many more.

Here is an account of all the pairs of brothers who have featured in the IPL- a tournament aimed at increasing brotherhood by providing a global exposure to cricketers from all parts of the world.

Pathan brothers

Yusuf Pathan

Baroda-born cricketer Yusuf Pathan has to be one of the biggest finds of the Indian Premier League. Taking the inaugural season by storm, Yusuf had a huge role to play in Rajasthan’s journey to the title in 2008.

Playing under the inspirational leadership of Shane Warne, Yusuf showed the world what he was capable of, decimating bowling attacks with his attacking batting instincts. His part-time off-spin bowling was more than a handful and his spell of 3-22 in the final of 2008, coupled with his 39 ball 56, won him the Man of the Match award.

His batting exploits won him a handsome contract with KKR as he won 16 awards for the Man of the Match in his IPL career. In 2009, he scored a 37-ball century, the then record for the fastest century in the tournament.

Yusuf Pathan was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2018 auction and it will be interesting to see how much does the 35-year-old have left in him.

Matches: 149 Runs: 2904 Avg.: 29.63 SR: 145.49 50: 13 100: 1 W: 41 Avg.: 33.29 Eco: 7.33

Irfan Pathan

Unlike elder brother Yusuf, who burst on to the big stage at a later stage in his life, Irfan was a sensation since his U-19 days in 2003. Tipped as the next-big-thing in Indian cricket, he was selected to represent his country for his exemplary swing bowling skills.

When the IPL began in 2008, he was one of the most sought after cricketers, given his ability to add value with both bat and ball. Playing for the Kings XI Punjab, he achieved decent success in the IPL, producing two Man of the Match award winning performances. In the seasons post the 2010 season, his stocks dropped with his performance and he went on to play few matches each for CSK, DD, SRH, RPS and GL.

He was overlooked by franchisees in the 2018 auction, but as has been his case in the past few seasons, it will not be surprising to see him replace an injured player mid-season.

Matches: 103 Runs: 1124 Avg.: 21.62 SR: 120.21 Wickets: 80 Avg.: 33.11 Eco: 7.78

Marsh brothers

The Marsh brothers got the opportunity to play together in the Big Bash League

Sons of veteran Australian opening batsman and later coach and selector Geoff Marsh, brothers Shaun and Mitchell both went on to represent Australia in Tests and their caliber landed them contracts in the cash-rich Indian league as well.

Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh, following in the footsteps of his father, is an opening batsman who is one of the few cricketers to have played for only one IPL franchise. Opening the batting for Kings XI Punjab, the stylish left-hander displayed his batting class in the IPL from the very first season. After joining the team mid-season, Shaun went on to top the batting charts with 616 runs in 2008, also winning him the Orange Cap.

The prolific run-scorer that he was, he played an instrumental role in taking Punjab over the line on many occasions, nine of which won him the Man of the Match award. While the IPL has proved the launching pad for many Indian cricketers who have taken the IPL route to the Indian team, Shaun was one of the few foreign players to avail this opportunity.

He was overlooked in the 2018 auction and it seems unlikely that he will ever play an IPL match again.

Matches: 71 Runs: 2477 Avg.: 39.95 SR: 132.74 50: 20 100:1 Best: 115

Mitchell Marsh

A genuine all-rounder, Mitchell may not have made the kind of impact expected from him in the IPL. His numbers are not an accurate reflection of his talent and he is surely capable of much more. He got to play for the Deccan Chargers, Pune Warriors India and Rising Pune Supergiants, all three of which are now defunct. He could just produce one match-winning performance, a spell of 4/25 for the Chargers, way back in 2011.

Marsh, a bright prospect for Australian cricket, chose country over an IPL contract as he preferred to enjoy a county stint with Surrey rather than making himself available for IPL 2018.

Matches: 20 Runs: 226 Avg.: 18.83 SR: 115.31 Wickets: 20 Avg.: 20.7 Eco: 7.89

Hussey brothers

David Hussey with elder brother Mike after the latter won the Orange Cap in 2013Hussey brothers

Mike Hussey

The senior of the two brothers, Mr. Cricket represented Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in the IPL. However, it was the opener’s position at CSK that proved to be his reason for success in the IPL. 1768 of his IPL runs were scored for the MS Dhoni led-side and he remains their third highest run-getter, bettered only by Suresh Raina and Mahi himself.

He scored his only hundred, a glittering match-winning 116* in Chennai’s first ever match in the history of IPL against the Kings XI Punjab. He also scored 15 half centuries, 11 of which won him Man of the Match awards.

The veteran left-hander returns to CSK for the 2018 season as their batting coach. His experience and cricketing acumen shall prove of great help to the youngsters in the Chennai team which is making a comeback to the marquee event after serving a suspension of 2 years.

Matches: 59 Runs: 1977 Avg.: 38.76 SR: 122.64 50: 15 100:1 Best: 116*

David Hussey

Regarded as one of the best Australian cricketers amongst those who did not represent Australia in Tests, David Hussey was a member of Kolkata Knight Riders (2008-2010), Kings XI Punjab (2011-2013) and finished his career with Chennai Super Kings in 2014.

He had a decent run in the tournament and also won 2 Man of the Match awards during the course of his IPL career. In 2013, when regular skipper Adam Gilchrist got injured, Hussey was selected to captain Kings XI Punjab, winning 6 of his 12 matches.

He had turned commentator for the 2014 season after going unsold, but was called up mid-season to replace the injured Dwayne Bravo in the CSK squad. Thus, junior Hussey replaced senior in the CSK side that season.

Matches: 64 Runs: 1322 Avg.: 26.98 SR: 122.98 50: 5 Wickets: 8 Avg.: 59.25 Eco: 8.97

Morkel Brothers

The Morkels, both of whom represented South Africa in international cricket

Albie Morkel

A medium-paced opening bowler and a hard hitter lower down the batting order, Albie Morkel was a hot commodity in his best days. A core member of the CSK team for the first six editions of the IPL, the South African ended up playing the next three editions for three different franchisees, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils and RPS respectively.

He was most effective when he played for CSK, helping his team win many-a-match. His performance was rewarded by the team management as they retained him for the 2012- 2014 editions. He has not featured in an IPL match post the 2016 seasoned was not a part of the 2018 auction.

Matches: 91 Runs: 974 Avg.: 24.35 SR: 141.98 Wickets: 85 Avg.: 27.75 Eco: 8.21

Morne Morkel

A premier fast bowler, Morne went on to represent the Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight riders and the Rajasthan royals franchisees in the IPL before going unsold for the 2018 season.

He was a strike bowler for any team he played, producing two Man of the Match winning performances, one each for Delhi and Kolkata. Injury plagued his career at many junctures, because of which he was an in-and-out feature in international cricket. It will be surprising to see if his body copes up with the pace and fitness required to play the shortest format in the near future.

Matches: 70 Runs: 125 Avg.: 11.36 SR: 140.45 Wickets: 77 Avg.: 27.13 Eco: 7.69

Pandya Brothers

Both the Pandyas could be seen together dawning the national colours in the near future

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has risen through the ranks tremendously in the last 18 months. Considered as the answer to India’s need of a fast-bowling all-rounder, he perfectly used the platform given to him by the Mumbai Indians to fast track into the national side.

A hard hitting batsman who can finish matches, has the ability to bowl 3-4 overs in a T20 match and will make a difference on the field with his fielding skills, Pandya seems to be the package T20 teams across the world sought after.

His talent has been relied upon by the Mumbai team who retained him for the upcoming season of the IPL.

Matches: 37 Runs: 406 Avg.: 21.37 SR: 142.46 Wickets: 10 Avg.: 54.2 Eco: 9.08

Krunal Pandya

Just like younger brother Hardik, Krunal is also a cricketer who possesses all-round ability. He bowls left-arm orthodox and bats left-handed. He has been a find of the IPL for his recruiters, the Mumbai Indians, who used their RTM to have him in their ranks for IPL 2018.

Krunal, who was Man of the Match in the all important night of the final of IPL 2017, scored a quick fire 47 to take his team to a total that later proved to be 1 run more than their opponents RPS could score.

With the kind of progress he has made, a successful IPL campaign could have him knocking at the doors of the national side, replicating the success of his younger brother.

Matches: 25 Runs: 480 Avg.: 36.92 SR: 158.42 Wickets: 16 Avg.: 31.81 Eco: 7.15

McCullum brothers

Brendon was a far more successful cricketer than Nathan

Brendon McCullum

Whenever we hear of the IPL, the first image that comes to the minds of most people is that of Bazz smoking the RCB attack of 2008 to all parts of the Chinnaswamy Stadium. There could not have been a better start to a tournament looking to find it’s feet amongst fans and players alike.

In the last 10 years, much has changed. He has retired from international cricket and is just playing franchise cricket in different parts of the world now. After having played for KKR, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, CSK and GL, he has come a full circle as he will now turn up to represent RCB. What adds to the drama is the fact that his first match for RCB will be against KKR!

Matches: 103 Runs: 2753 Avg.: 28.09 SR: 131.22 50: 13 100: 2

Nathan McCullum

Unlike brother Brendon, off-spinner Nathan could not garner as much attention in the glitzy league. Pretty much a one-dimensional player, it would have always been difficult for someone like him to be a regular in the XI which can accomodate only 4 foreign players.

He did get his chance in 2011, but played just 2 matches for Pune Warriors India, bowling only 5 overs spread across the two games. Never again was he considered by any IPL team.

Matches: 2 Runs: 26 Avg.: 26 SR: 118.18 Wickets: 0 Avg.: - Eco: 6.8

Bravo brothers

Dwayne and Darren Bravo are half-brothers

Dwayne Bravo

Be it his accurate bowling, his power hitting, his athleticism in the field or his celebratory dances, Dwayne Bravo can never be kept out of a cricket game. The T20 format is his forte and the Windies’ all-rounder has set the IPL stage ablaze more often than not.

Bravo has been a part of the Mumbai and Gujarat squads in the IPL. His golden period, though, was during his time at Chennai. He won the Purple cap in 2013 and 2015 and gave the Chennai fan base several moments to dance to his Calypso beats.

The 34-year-old still has some cricket left in him, which is the reason that Chennai used their RTM to avail his services.

Matches: 106 Runs: 1262 Avg.: 22.95 SR: 126.33 50: 4 Wickets: 122 Avg.: 22.58 Eco: 8.2

Darren Bravo

The most glaring contrast among all pairs of brothers on this list exists between the numbers generated by the Bravo half-brothers. The ‘Champion’ Bravo will be remembered as one of IPL’s legends whereas only a few hundreds would even remember that the left-handed Darren happened to play a solitary game for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017.

Although he was bought by the Deccan Chargers prior to the 2012 season, national duty forced him to miss the entire season. He played his only match for KKR against RPS in the only season that brother Dwayne did not play a single match due to injury.

Matches: 1 Runs: 6 Avg.: - SR: 120

Chahar brothers

A tale of small town brothers looking to make it big in Indian cricket

The Chahar brothers- Deepak and Rahul- do not have much to show when it comes to their IPL numbers, with eight being the combined number of matches they have represented the Rising Pune Supergiants. What they do have, though, is a tale of two brothers looking to earn a name for their family by dawning the national colours.

Deepak, seven years elder to 18-year-old-Rahul, had a great Ranji debut for Rajasthan before fading away. Having himself gone off the track, the medium pacer has tried his level best to ensure that his younger brother, a leg-sinner, goes on to play at the highest level. With the kind of demand for leg-spinners in the modern era and his eye-catching performances, it seems Rahul is checking all the boxes on his way to glory.

While Rahul was picked up by the Mumbai Indians for the 2018 edition for Rs 1.9 crores, Deepak was picked up by CSK for Rs 80 lakhs. Come this IPL, we could well be witnessing the rise of a future prospect for Indian cricket.