One-season wonders in IPL

In its 11th year since its inception, the Indian Premier League has produced some great performances from players all over the world. Many such performers have defined entire editions of the popular league like Virat Kohli’s run of play in the 2016 edition or Chris Gayle in the 2012 season. At the same time IPL is a massive platform for the Indian domestic players. The likes of Hardik Pandya and Yuzvendra Chahal owe a large part of their national team selection and success to this cricketing extravaganza.

But not everyone has been able to show grit and perform consistently in the tournament. While the likes of David Warner, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have been pretty consistent performers, there are many players who were finds of a particular season but failed to create that kind of impact for long and were not up to the mark in the successive seasons. Some of these players, who had not played for the national side yet, fell into obscurity.

Here is a look at five of such domestic players:

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#5 Paul Valthaty

Paul scored 463 runs in 14 matches in 2011

Primarily a top-order batsman, Paul Valthaty became the centre of all attention when he hit an outstanding century playing for the Kings XI Punjab against Chennai Super Kingsin IPL 2011.

The Mumbai-born cricketer had a memorable season in 2011 scoring 463 runs in 14 matches at an average of 35.61 and a strike rate of 136.98.

Valthaty complemented his outstanding knock of 120* with a couple of brisk half-centuries and looked in proper control, playing the aggressor in a side which had stroke players like Adam Gilchrist.

Along with his batting, he even picked up seven wickets with his part-time medium pace bowling and it seemed that he was indeed the next big thing in Indian Cricket.

However, the talented batsman who was also the part of the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2002, made just 30 runs in six games in the next edition and never really got into the scheme of things again.

Even in domestic cricket, Paul did not put up a special performance to draw the attention of the franchise or the national selectors. The right-handed cricketer is a one-time wonder of the IPL.

Valthathy is all set to feature in the Mumbai T-20 League which will be held from March 11-March 21. The 34-year old has been selected under the "Emerging Players" Category.

#4 Manpreet Gony

Gony was the highest wicket-taker for Chennai Super Kings in 2008

Chennai Super King’s leading wicket-taker in the inaugural IPL- Manpreet Gony was the fourth highest wicket-taker in the first edition of the league.

With 17 wickets in 16 matches in the tournament, he forced his way into the Indian team. However, he played only two matches for the national team in which he bowled 13 overs and picked up two wickets but was never considered for selection again.

This was because the Punjab cricketer had failed to deliver on the initial promise that he showed and was leaking a lot of runs without taking that many wickets in the succeeding years.

The right arm medium pace bowler played just seven matches in the 2009 edition of the tournament due to his mediocre performances.

Battling personal life issues and injuries Gony did not participate in Ranji Trophy for a few seasons but made his comeback rather dramatically.

Last season, the right-arm seamer played after a gap of three seasons in the IPL representing the Gujarat Lions (played only 1 match).

Courtesy of a brilliant Ranji Trophy season, he will play for his home team- the Kings XI Punjab in IPL 11.

#3 Saurabh Tiwari

Saurabh Tiwari had an excellent 2010 season with Mumbai Indians

A strongly built cricketer from Ranchi, when Saurabh Tiwari was initially bursting on to the scene, he resembled a left-handed version of MS Dhoni.

Known for his unorthodox game, Tiwari was part of the U-19 World winning team in 2008 led by Virat Kohli. However, it was his stint with the Mumbai Indians in 2010 when it felt like Tiwari had arrived.

The power-hitter scored 419 runs in 16 matches in 2010 with a strike rate of close to 136, playing crucial innings on many occasions.

His brilliant performance landed him an entry into the ODI team. But he failed to capitalise on the confidence shown upon him.

After 419 runs in the 2010 season, the Jharkhand cricketer did not touch the 200 run mark again in any edition of the IPL.

However, things might take a turn for the southpaw as he is back with his favorite franchise- the Mumbai Indians in IPL 11, the franchise with which he impressed one and all.

Last season too, Saurabh was picked by the Mumbai Indians and he made use of the only opportunity he got by scoring an unbeaten 52.

#2 Pradeep Sangwan

Sangwan was a significant part of Delhi's campaign in 2009

Pradeep Sangwan was at his lethal best in his debut Ranji season where he was amongst the leading wicket-takers picking up 33 wickets in the season.

With his excellent performance in the domestic circuit, he made his way to the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia which India won eventually.

However, it was with the Delhi Daredevils in the second edition of the Indian Premier League where the Delhi lad attracted a lot of eyeballs.

The left-arm medium pacer, who idolizes Wasim Akram, picked up 15 wickets in 13 matches in the 2009 edition of the league.

But his performance started deteriorating thereafter and was clearly reflecting on his numbers. His economy was 7.71 in 2009, it went close to 11 in 2012.

In 2013, Sangwan was tested positive for a prohibited drug and was banned from competitive cricket for 18 months.

Since his comeback, he has performed well in the Ranji Trophy but has failed to look as impressive in the IPL.

The southpaw has played seven games in the previous two editions with an economy of over 10 in both the seasons.

In IPL 2018, he is all set to play for the Mumbai Indians and will look to make up for the lost time and glory.

#1 Swapnil Asnodkar

Asnodkar scored 311 runs in 9 matches in 2008

An attacking batsman from Goa, Swapnil Asnodkar rose to prominence in the 2008 IPL when he impressed his skipper the Australian legend Shane Warne with his attacking and fearless style of cricket.

He went on to score 311 runs in nine matches and it was with the help of outstanding domestic talents like Asnodkar that Rajasthan Royals went on to win the 2008 IPL.

Since then, however, the right-handed batsman's performance has not been much impressive.

He played 11 matches in the next three IPL seasons scoring a meagre 100 runs which was clearly not enough.

The 33-year old batsman has been playing for the Goa side though and last played against the Andhra Side in a T20 encounter earlier this year.