5 oldest cricketers playing in IPL 2014

Indian Premier League, in particular, and Twenty20 cricket, in general, are considered to be tailor-made for the fresh, young blood. To earn all the big cash, youve got to be able to smash, dash and bash! Thats what the perception was a few years ago, only to see the old guys come to terms with the demands of the modern game and stamp their authority. Here are a few no-so-elderly players to keep an eye on in this IPL season:

#5 Brad Hodge - 39 years 121 days

If a country can do without Brad Hodge in their national team, it must be blessed with serious talent. So was the case with Australia, as the likes of Ponting, Clarke, Martyn, Symonds and Bevan ensured that Hodge wasn't missed. The case of Rajasthan Royals, however, is contrasting altogether. The team can ill-afford to have a starting eleven sans Brad Hodge.

With 218 Twenty20 matches under his belt, the Australian approaches this format like how a fish takes to water. Apart from his ability to finish games with incredible ease, he would have to share the load of assisting the Royals captain, Shane Watson, in his decision making.

#4 Jacques Kaliis 38 years 195 days

Arguably the best cricketer of this generation, Jacques Kallis is the lynchpin of Kolkata Knight Riders. He bats, bowls, fields, and carries an intangible asset of experience. He’s the patriarch of the rare breed of classical bats who have excelled in the crisp version of the game.

Despite not having played cricket for a while, the hunger’s the same; his performance (3 wickets and 124 runs) in the last 4 games stands testimony to it. He seems to have worked a bit on whacking the ball, as well, and his 72-run knock off 46 balls in the opening game of the tournament wasn’t too bad at all in that context. His role in the KKR set-up becomes all the more crucial after the outrageously dismal form that skipper Gautam Gambhir finds himself in.

#3 Michael Hussey - 38 years 337 days

After serving the Chennai Super Kings for six years with distinction, Michael Hussey is representing the Blues this year. In the previous season, he was the winner of the Orange Cap with a total of 733 runs. A 5-crore bid was what it took for Nita Ambani and Co., to seal the deal in the auction.

This year, however, has been difficult for him; it is not to say that his team has done well. His last four scores (10, 1, 16, and 3) suggest that he hasn’t got accustomed to the new environment, yet. But, given the classy player he is, one good knock should reverse his fortunes very quickly.

#2 Muttiah Muralitharan: 42 years 12 days

All his life as a Sri Lankan cricketer, Muralitharan had to deal with illimitable eulogizing, perpetually coupled with skepticism, over his bowling action, for all he achieved. Perhaps in the Indian Premier League, nobody will question his ability to spin the ball by a country mile.

The focus, patently, would be slightly off him, as the omnipotent tonkers of the ball – Chris Gayle, Virat kohli, Yuvraj Singh, and Ab de Villiers - will hog the limelight. This should do him a world of good, as he would have the room to weave his magic in the few games that he’ll get this season.

#1 Pravin Tambe - 42 years 203 days

Pravin Tambe is the sole Indian player featuring in this list. He earns the numero uno position, though. Tambe shot into prominence with his spectacular showing for Rajasthan Royals in the last year Champions League T20, wherein he notched up a 12 wickets in just 5 matches.

Tambe may be a late bloomer, but he sure is a wily customer, all the same. He has started off in a steady fashion this season, picking up 5 wickets in his first 4 games – including a 4-fer against a potent RCB batting line-up on a green Abu Dhabi deck. His economy rates have been terrific too (under 7 an over in all games).

Parallel to the ‘Aam-Aadmi’ season in Indian politics of late, the wrist spinners are having a real ‘ball’ these days, and Tambe is sure to cash in!