8 Overseas players you probably didn't know played in the IPL

The biggest T20 league in the world, the Indian Premier League, has been the breeding ground for budding Indian cricketers for quite a while now. It has been a huge platform for the youngsters to make their case and stake a claim for a spot in the national side.

The likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and many others came into the reckoning during the IPL.

Not just Indians, many overseas stars have also established themselves into the consciousness of India's cricket crazy public over the years, like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and Lasith Malinga. Then there have been players from foreign countries who used the IPL as a platform to show their mettle and made their international debut after starring in the league. The likes of Shaun Marsh, Chris Morris and Glenn Maxwell fall in this category.

However, there were some others who couldn't make it big, and went into oblivion after limited opportunities. Here, we look at eight such overseas players who most of us may not remember played in the IPL:

1. Michael Klinger (Kochi Tuskers Kerala, 2011)

A huge name in Australian domestic circuit, Michael Klinger played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala for the only season the team played in the IPL, in 2011.

The Kerala-based franchise purchased the 30-year-old Klinger for $75,000. Playing his first match against Delhi Daredevils, he got out for 2 in the second over of the game.

Klinger finished with an aggregate of 73 runs from 4 matches at an average of 18.25 and a strike rate of 94.81. He had a highest score of 29 in the only season he played.

2. Adrian Barath (Kings XI Punjab, 2010)

Impressing everyone with a blazing century at Gabba on his Test debut, the Trinidad and Tobago opener was bought by the Kings XI Punjab for $75,000 in 2010.

The 19-year-old Barath, however, did not get many opportunities in the IPL as he found it tough to break into the playing XI.

In the only season he played, Barath featured in a total of 3 games, scoring 42 runs at an average of 21 and a strike rate of 100 with a best score of 33.

3. Tyron Henderson (Rajasthan Royals, 2009)

Tyron Henderson celebrating after picking a wicket for Rajasthan Royals

With a reputation of being a consistent performer in the shortest format of the game and having the experience of playing domestic T20s in both South Africa and England, Henderson was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping $650,000. The fast bowling all-rounder, however, got just two games in his only IPL season.

Henderson could not replicate his county form in the IPL, and finished with just 11 runs from 2 matches at an average of 5.5 and strike rate of 68.75. With the ball he picked up a solitary wicket from the six overs he bowled at an economy rate of 6.67.

4. Graham Napier (Mumbai Indians, 2009)

After making headlines with a 58-ball 152 for Essex, which included 16 sixes, Napier was roped in by Mumbai Indians in 2009. The all-rounder, who bowled right-hand medium pace, made a solitary appearance for the Mumbai-based franchise - against Kolkata Knight Riders at East London.

In the only game he played, Napier scored 15 runs from 16 balls with a single boundary. With the ball, he finished with 1/27 in his quota of 4 overs at an economy rate of 6.75.

5. Dillon Du Preez (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2009)

Dillon Du Preez during his IPL debut against Mumbai Indians

Dillon Du Preez was roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore to spice up their pace attack. The South African had impressed one and all with the Eagles in the South African domestic circuit.

He had a successful IPL debut too, where he picked up the prized scalp of Sachin Tendulkar and ended with 3 wickets.

Du Preez played a total of two matches, one against Mumbai Indians and the other against Rajasthan Royals. He bowled a total of 7 overs and picked up 4 wickets at an economy of 8 and had best figures of 3/32 against Mumbai Indians.

6. Lee Carseldine (Rajasthan Royals, 2009)

The Queensland batsman, who also bowled medium pace, was roped in by then defending champions Rajasthan Royals in 2009.

Carseldine was brought in as one of the replacements for their Pakistani players. He had a good outing in his IPL debut, top scoring with 39 against Deccan Chargers.

Carseldine played a total of 5 games in the IPL, scoring 81 runs at an average of 20.25 and strike rate of 119.12 with a best score of 39. In the only over he bowled in the IPL, he picked up a wicket and ended with best figures of 1/6.

7. Morne van Wyk (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2009)

Morne Van Wyk during his 43* against RCB

The South African wicketkeeper-batsman was brought in by Kolkata Knight Riders in 2009. And with the IPL moving to South Africa, the buy seemed even more beneficial for KKR.

Van Wyk had a decent debut, scoring 43* in a losing cause against Royal Challengers Bangalore. His highest score of 74* came while opening the batting, which also came in a losing cause against Delhi Daredevils.

In 5 games, Van Wyk aggregated 167 runs at an impressive average of 55.67 and a strike rate of 126.52. Unlike others in this list, Van Wyk actually performed well and was unfortunate not to play any further in the IPL.

8. Ashley Noffke (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2008)

Ashley Noffke, who made his ODI debut against India in 2008, came in as a replacement for his fellow countryman Nathan Bracken - who was ruled out due to injury.

Noffke was a part of the opening match of the IPL, and that remains his only appearance in the tournament. Being at the receiving end of an unstoppable Brendon McCullum, Noffke had a horrible IPL debut.

In the only game he played, Noffkle finished with figures 1/40 from his quota of 4 overs. He also managed to score 9 runs with the bat as his team went down by a massive 140 runs.