5 unnoticed overseas IPL performers

The Indian Premier League has always been a stage which gives players around the world an opportunity to showcase their talent. Since its inception, it not only has been influential in opening doors for Indian youngsters to the national team but also for many international players who ply their trade in the league.

It is harder for the overseas players to break through the ranks in the cash-rich tournament due to the rule of only four overseas players in the playing XI. The big names in world cricket manage to enhance their reputation and find a lot of support from the cricket-crazy fans, some stars go unnoticed to the public.

As the ninth edition of the IPL is nearing its business end, let us take a look back at five unfortunate overseas performers who never really got the adulation they deserved despite a number of good performances.

1) Ben Rohrer

The 35-year-old left-handed Australian batsman played for the Delhi Daredevils in 2013. The name of this New South Wales-born cricketer seems rather unlikely to remember for the IPL fans but the middle-order batsman showed his caliber while playing for the Delhi-based franchise.

Rohrer played only 8 IPL matches in his career for the Delhi Daredevils and scored 193 runs at a whopping average of 32.16 and with a healthy strike-rate of 137.85. He also scored a half-century for his team and smashed five maximums in this period.

2) Luke Wright

Luke Wright during a six-hitting competition during the IPL

The 31-year-old English all-rounder is a limited-overs specialist, who played for the now defunct IPL team Pune Warriors. He represented Pune in 2012 and 2013’s edition of the tournament. The Lincolnshire-based cricketer has performed prolifically in different T20 leagues around the world but went rather unnoticed for his performances in the IPL.

The right-handed batsman has scored 106 runs in 7 IPL matches at a decent average of 21.20 and with a destructive strike-rate of 176.66. He also smashed 16 fours and three maximums during his time in the competition. Wright also picked up two wickets with his right-arm medium pace bowling.

3) Michael Lumb

Michael Lumb opened for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL

The 36-year-old left-handed English batsman played in the IPL for the now suspended team Rajasthan Royals in 2010. The South African-born top-order batsman has also represented Deccan Chargers in 2011 but played only one match for them. He opened for the Rajasthan-based team and was one of the key members of the side.

In 12 IPL matches, he has scored 278 runs at a steady average of 25.27 and with an excellent strike-rate of 144.79. He was successful to give quick starts at the start of the innings and scored a fabulous fifty in the tournament. The Englishman smashed 45 fours and six massive sixes in the cash-rich tournament.

4) Dimitri Mascarenhas

Dimitri Mascarenhas in action in the IPL

The 38-year-old English all-rounder has represented his country in the both the limited-overs formats and has also graced the IPL while playing for the now suspended franchise Rajasthan Royals. Though he played for the team for three years but he didn’t feature in many matches. He also played for the Kings XI Punjab for two years.

The right-handed batsman did not have a good time with the bat as he only scored 79 runs in 13 IPL matches. However, he contributed heavily with his bowling. He picked up 19 wickets during this period at a stunning average of under 19 and with a good economy rate of under 7.21. He also picked up a wicket every 17 balls.

5) Ben Hilfenhaus

Ben Hilfenhaus celebrates a fall of wicket

The 33-year-old Australian pacer has more than 100 international wickets to his name has also played in the cash-rich tournament. The right-handed fast bowler played for the now suspended IPL team Chennai Super Kings for three years from 2012 to 2014.

The Tasmania-born bowler was one of the main strike bowlers for captain MS Dhoni. In 17 IPL matches, he picked up 22 wickets at a solid average of 21.77 and with a decent economy rate of 7.72. He picked up a wicket in every 17 balls during his time with the two-time IPL champions.