IPL History: 10 Finest Overseas Players of All-Time

#1 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

Undoubtedly, the Universe Boss is number one on this list. Chris Gayle is as devastating a batsman you would find anywhere. He is a destructive opener who is known for hammering the bowlers with brute force.

The ‘Universe Boss’ took to this format quickly and became the first batsman to hit a T20I century and has also scored more than 7 tons in the shortest form of the game. Gayle keeps enhancing his skills and plying his trade in T20 leagues around the world.

However, the Caribbean batsman didn’t start his IPL career on a good note. When the attacking southpaw made his IPL debut, he was playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Opening the batting for them, he barely managed to score runs and hit only two half-centuries during his tenure with KKR.

It wasn’t until he joined RCB in 2011 that he really unleashed his power. RCB’s small home ground suited him and he quickly became a mainstay with the franchise.

Fans would even chant his name every time he walked out to bat. From 2011-2013, he scored over 600 runs per season with a strike-rate of 150+. He even won the Purple Cap on two occasions.

Currently, Gayle holds the record for the highest individual T20 score of all-time - an unbeaten 175 runs against Pune Warriors India in 2013. He also has 6 centuries to his name – the most by any player in the IPL.

All these records and achievements definitely mean that Chris Gayle may very well be the greatest overseas player to ever play in the Indian Premier League.