5 90s batsmen we would have loved to watch in the IPL

Twenty20 is no longer all fun and games, and now as the game has evolved, it has occupied the imagination of the cricketing world all around. Some might even argue this format is best suited to spread the game all around the globe.

The players who play the game have now realised that they have to be right on the money at all times or else they will be exposed and their skills need to be sharp throughout the game.

Having said that, there are some current players who have almost owned the format. Hence, it is but natural to reflect on few players from the previous decade who might have been superstars in this format.

Michael Bevan

The southpaw from Australia is arguably one of the greatest One Day Player, and few doubt his credentials when it comes down to crunch situations and finishing games.

Bevan had nerves of steel, and on many occasions, he bailed out Australia from seemingly hopeless positions.

In 232 matches, Bevan has an outstanding average of 53.58, a testament to the fact that he loved finishing off games and not leaving the job for anyone else. In 196 innings, he was not out in 67 innings. Teams in the IPL would have lapped him up for this purpose.

Apart from this, Bevan was a more than handy left-arm chinaman bowler, and on Indian surfaces, he without any doubt would have been a handy inclusion.

Lance Klusener

The very first image that comes to mind when thinking of Lance Klusener is the 1999 World Cup, and Zulu striding out and smashing bowlers all over and then almost with disdain walking back after having won the match. That high backlift, clearing of the left leg and then smoking the ball everywhere was a sight to behold.

Add to it his bowling, and the fast swinging yorkers, it is almost as if Klusener was cut out for this format. Surely, he would have been one of the marquee players in the IPL.

In 171 One Day Internationals, Klusener scored 3576 runs at an average of 41 and an imposing strike rate of 89.

With the ball, he snapped up 192 wickets, with an average of 29.95 and an economy of 4.70.

Nathan Astle

Nathan Astle epitomises a carefree attitude, he was perhaps the most belligerent Kiwi batsman in his time, and his medium pace of a short run up made him a complete package as a cricketer.

He was a laid back character, and enjoyed his life and that reflected in his free spirit batting. He entered the record books, with his 153-ball double century, which is the fastest double century.

Astle was also a fantastic slip fielder and had a sharp cricketing mind. All these traits could have made him a certain superstar in the IPL. A decade too early then Nathan!

Chris Cairns

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Chris Cairns was one who would never care for traditions and regulations. A free spirit, Cairns certainly brought this unbridled attitude into the game and was perhaps the most important player for New Zealand through the 1990’s and 2000’s.

A hard hitting batsmen, who one his day can take the game by the scruff of its neck and change it within a matter of overs by his lusty hitting. A canny seam bowler, who could extract assistance if there was any available on the surface and if there was no movement could bowl a tight line and length.

A proper all-rounder, Cairns would have been the player all the teams would have wanted in their teams.

Andy Flower

Andy Flower at his peak was the best batsmen for Zimbabwe. Few would argue, that he is the best batsman ever produced by Zimbabwe.

He captured the imagination of Indian audience during the 2000 tour to India, where his audacious reverse sweeps and conventional sweeps forced everyone to sit up and take notice.

He was a brilliant gloveman too, but his ability to play spin in Indian conditions would have made him a perfect fit in the IPL.