5 IPL stars who have struggled in international cricket

Cricketers enjoy a luxury many sportsmen don’t in that they have multiple platforms in which to succeed. Limited overs cricket first greeted the long-standing two-innings arrangement in the 1960s while Twenty20 joined the party in 2003. Five years after that the Indian Premier League brainchild came into existence and from thereon it has become commonplace for players – starry-eyed by the mighty financial offerings – to tailor their games to suit a certain match type.That qualifications can differ so greatly for various formats has been illustrated no better than by Yuvraj Singh. The Punjabi powerhouse appears to be a fading light on the international circuit – he wasn’t even included in the 30-man list of probables for India’s 2015 World Cup squad. Yet at the most recent IPL auction in February, for the second year running he was the most expensive purchase, with Delhi Daredevils shelling out an eye-watering Rs. 16 crore for the left-hander.Not all have been as fortunate as Yuvraj though, in that he has enjoyed many glittering days in an India shirt. On that note, here are five names who have sparkled in IPL colours but struggled when challenged to represent their country.

#1 Kieron Pollard

Mumbai’s Caribbean hero performs better in India than anywhere else

A tall, brutal Trinidadian, Kieron Pollard shot to fame in the 2009 Champions League T20 – blitzing an unbeaten 54 off 18 to defeat New South Wales. His impact there ensured he would become a vital component of Mumbai Indians, the IPL franchise he has competed exclusively for since he was initially scooped in the 2010 auction. But despite being one of the tournament’s biggest names, he is not a major force for West Indies.

A game-changer for Mumbai, Pollard’s effectiveness with bat and ball – as well as in the field – makes him feared by the opposition, but in internationals, that effectiveness is displayed in lesser quantities. While his bowling efforts for both have been similar, is 27 batting average in IPL is reduced by five for West Indies. In the lengthier ODIs, he concedes almost 40 runs per wicket, and holds an average of only 25 a time batting. In a West Indies career that has spanned eight years, he is also yet to play Test cricket.

More suited to the batting-friendly pitches in India, Pollard has in the past demonstrated clumsiness against good spin and nerves when posed with threatening fast bowling – especially when pitched short. He thrives when the ball does little and is in his hitting zone, but struggles when faced with more versatility. Perhaps that explains why the 27-year-old hasn’t so far dominated at the sport’s pinnacle.

#2 Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan has made headlines in the IPL, but rarely for India

The basher from Baroda has established himself as one of cricket’s most ferocious strikers, for six weeks a year at least. Initially a Rajasthan Royal, Yusuf Pathan joined Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011, unleashing destruction for both. His handy off-spin, although not as potent as in the past, has also added to his impressive skillset.

But when in the blue of India, his performances didn’t set the world alight. Making his international debut in the 2007 T20 World Cup final versus Pakistan – curiously as an opener – Pathan went on to play a total of 22 T20 matches, and 58 ODIs for his country. Failure to register even one 50 in the shortest format along with considerably more expensive bowling were not favourable traits.

Shades of his 37-ball hundred in the third IPL were not to be seen, and while he was slightly more proficient with the willow in ODIs, he was dropped by India in March 2012, and has not returned since. With the Men in Blue now firmly into a new era – admirably reaching the semi-finals of recently concluded World Cup – Pathan’s international days look to be behind him. He does, however, remain a star attraction for the Knight Riders.

#3 Dwayne Smith

Dwayne Smith has faltered too often in West Indies colours

Dwayne Smith has built a reputation in the IPL for being a useful top-order attacker, with a particular liking for the leg side. Having turned out for Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers and now Chennai Super Kings over seven editions, the Barbadian has become a seasoned veteran in the event. His flair and coolness at the crease shone especially brightly in 2012, when he carted 14 off the final three deliveries of the match to hand Mumbai a smash-and-grab win over Chennai.

Such memorable tales do not spring to mind when thinking of his West Indies outings. He hit the headlines with a ton on Test debut in 2004, but Smith is without a three-figure score for his country in the following 11 years, depsite playing a total of 148 matches in all three formats. Concentrating on the one-day games, while an average of nigh on 31 in IPL speaks volumes of his ability, in international T20s that slips to just 18 – the same as in ODIs.

In six matches as an opener in the 2015 World Cup, his top score was a mere 31. That says two things. One, that the Dwayne Smith of the IPL and the Dwayne Smith of the West Indies are completely different players, and two, West Indies lack alternatives.

#4 Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh was the IPL’s leading run-scorer in 2008

In 2008, Kings XI Punjab signed an uncapped, unknown Australian who would finish as the inaugural IPL’s leading run-scorer, racking up 616 for his franchise in 11 matches. That man was Shaun Marsh. The tournament that was supposed to give young Indians a platform had inadvertently provided the Aussies with a new international.

The wow-factor Marsh created – and continues to create – in IPL has never manifested itself for Australia. While 52 matches in the T20 jamboree have yielded a hundred and 16 half-centuries, in 13 tmes for Australia, he has never usurped 50. When in a Kings XI jersey Marsh boosts his average to almost 44, an increase of 25, a statistic which has enabled him to garner almost 2,000 IPL runs. He has not managed anywhere close to that consistency for Australia in Tests or ODIs either.

It would be cruel to label Marsh inadequate for internationals he has not fulfilled the promise or talent he showcases once a year. The staggering IPL figures determine a modest Australia career as a disappointing one. At 31, unless Marsh excels soon for Australia, he will retire wondering “what could have been”.

#5 Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa seems to have found an IPL home at Kolkata

Essential in stoking up Kolkata’s assault on the IPL last year, Robin Uthappa ended the competition with the orange cup, accumulating 660 runs and crossing 50 five times. Prior to his current team, he played for Mumbai, Bangalore and endured three years with the now terminated Pune Warriors India.

A regular in the IPL, Uthappa has shown himself as a dynamic option for any franchise, with potential as a wicket-keeper, but he could never maximise those credentials for India. He was afforded 11 chances in T20s, but averaging under 20 was always unlikely to leave a lasting mark. Given more chances to impress in ODIs, a quickfire unbeaten 47 guided his team to victory against England at The Oval in 2007, but he lacked regular contributions of this nature.

He has sporadically appeared over the last decade, and he made a brief ODI comeback in 2014, but was unable to capitalise on the opportunities – he tallied just 104 runs from five matches. In the IPL though, Uthappa is a crucial cog in the Knight Riders machine. Key to them securing a second title last year, further success will likely depend on him havin another solid season.