5 prominent international players who never played in the IPL

The 12th edition of the Indian Premier League is just around the corner and the buzz is increasing every day. The 8 teams look all set to battle it out once again for the prestigious trophy.

Some of the teams have made several new additions to their team in order to strengthen their weak areas. This year's auction saw a lot of surprises with many domestic and International players getting sold for big money.

An IPL contract holds a lot of value for any cricketer. Apart from the big bucks that one gets with the contract, it's the opportunity to show your talent at the biggest stage that appeals to many cricketers.

Not only those who are seeking opportunities at the top level, but many prominent International cricketers are also attracted by the richest league in the world. Throughout the ilast 11 editions of the IPL, many Internationals stars and cricketing legends have graced the itournament. However, there are still many prominent international names who are yet to play in the league.

Here is a look at the five major International players who are yet to play in the IPL.

#5 Mahmudullah

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Mahmudullah has been one of the most consistent players for Bangladesh in the last decade. He is currently ranked number four in the ICC ranking for best all-rounder in the T20 format. His ability to bat according to the situation and chipping in with crucial wickets at the right time makes him one of the best all-rounders in the world.

For the past three to four years, Mahmudullah has been playing the finisher's role for his national team, but he has the ability to stabilize the innings batting up the order too.

Any IPL side looking for an all-rounder who can bat in any position depending upon the situation of the match would love to have Mahmudullah in their squad. His consistent line and length with the ball allows him to bowl in the powerplay too.

He has a lot of experience at the top level. He has played 76 T20 internationals, scoring 1250 runs. Along with the runs, he has taken 31 wickets at an economy of just 7.25.

Mahmudullah has also played in the Caribbean Premier League for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. He has put his name in the IPL auction list several times in the last 10 years, but no franchise has got him in his side. While it is surprising that an all-rounder like Mahmudullah is yet to play in the IPL, it might not be a surprise if he is picked in the auction next time.

#4 Dinesh Chandimal

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Chandimal is a very talented T20 player

Dinesh Chandimal was supposed to take the baton from the likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in taking Sri Lankan cricket forward. The right-handed batsman showed a lot of potential initially at the international stage to be called 'the next big thing'. Chandimal has played 54 T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka and has scored 800 runs. He has also captained Sri Lanka in all the three formats.

It was reported that in 2013, that Chandimal was contacted by one of the IPL team to replace a player who got injured midway through the tournament. However, Chandimal decided to reject the offer as he thought he would not get many chances in the playing 11 and decided to play domestic cricket instead.

Chandimal has put his name on the auction list on many occasions but hasn't been able to find any suitors.

#3 Stuart Broad

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Broad can be very useful for any IPL side

Stuart Broad became a popular name in every Indian household when Yuvraj Singh smashed him for 6 sixes in an over at the World T20 tournament in South Africa. Broad had a very average start to his career, but since then he hasn't looked back. He has played 56 T20 international matches for England and has taken 65 wickets at an economy of just over 7 RPO.

Not only is he a very good bowler, but Broad is also quite a handy batsman as well who can bat lower down the order and play according to the situation.

The English bowler was bought by the Kings XI Punjab for the 2011 and 2012 IPL seasons but, he withdrew from the tournament on both occasions due to injury issues and did not play even a single match for the franchise.

Broad recently represented Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League where he showed his extraordinary abilities as a T20 cricketer.

#2 Tamim Iqbal

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Iqbal in action for Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal's batting has been one of the most important factors behind the rise of Bangladesh cricket in the recent past. The fearsome left-handed opener has proved himself time and again on the international stage since his debut in 2007. Tamim has played in most of the local leagues around the world as one of the main batsmen.

He has played 75 international T20s for Bangladesh and has scored 1613 runs at an average if 23. His strike rate is above 110, which is impressive for any batsman playing the T20 format. Overall, Tamim has the experience of playing more than 173 T20 innings.

The Bangladeshi opener once got picked by the now-defunct franchise Pune Warriors India, but never got a chance to play in the playing XI of the team. During the time he was picked in IPL, Tamim was known to be a talented but very inconsistent player.

Since then, he has put his name in the IPL auctions list but has never been picked by any of the teams.

#1 Joe Root

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The England captain recently played in the Big Bash League

England's baby-faced Test captain Joe Root is currently one of the finest players in world cricket. He belongs to the top level in every format of the game and has his name taken with the likes of Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, and Kane Williamson.

Root, despite being a fine player in Test cricket and ODI cricket has not played much T20 cricket generally (strike rate of 125.59 in all T20 cricket). Root has not taken T20 cricket by storm and that was one of the reasons for his non-inclusion.

But the World T20 tournament held in India in 2016 showed us what Root is capable of in the shortest format of the game. He was one of the leading run-scorers in the tournament and the biggest reason behind England reaching the finals.

Root gave his name for the 2018 IPL auctions but unfortunately, no franchise came in calling for the England captain. His availability for the full tournament is also one of the reasons behind not being picked in the IPL.