'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former Rajasthan Royals spin bowler Pravin Tambe recently grabbed everyone's attention by becoming the first Indian player to earn a contract from a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise. Trinbago Knight Riders drafted the 48-year-old leg-spinner into their team during the CPL 2020 Draft last evening.
It is worth noting that Tambe had earlier received a bid from the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL Auction 2020. However, the BCCI ruled him out of the tournament as he had earlier been a part of a foreign league.
Indian cricket stars in foreign leagues
Recently, experienced Indian cricket team players like Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan had voiced their opinions that BCCI should allow the discarded players of the Indian cricket team to participate in the foreign leagues. As per the policy of the Indian cricket governing body, an active Indian player cannot play in overseas competitions if he is playing in the IPL.
Even if the player does not find a place in any IPL franchise, he has to obtain a special NOC from the board to play in other tournaments. Very few Indian cricket players have managed to achieve this feat. Here's a look at the five Indian cricketers who have played in foreign leagues.
#5 Pravin Tambe
Pravin Tambe went unsold in the IPL Auctions of 2018 and 2019 after Sunrisers Hyderabad released him. He signed up for the UAE T10 League in 2018 and achieved a lot of success in the shortest format of the sport. Tambe became the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T10 matches while playing for the Sindhis.
After his impressive performances, the leg-spinner became a part of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020, but the BCCI disqualified him. He has moved to the Caribbean now as he will turn up for the Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL 2020.
#4 Yuvraj Singh
One of the best all-rounders to have played for the Indian cricket team, Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement last year. After declaring his decision to hang up his boots, Yuvraj obtained a NOC from BCCI to play in the Global T20 Canada tournament. He played for the Toronto Nationals in that competition.
A few months later, the former Kings XI Punjab skipper played for the Maratha Arabians in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. The Maratha squad had the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Lasith Malinga, and Chris Lynn. Eventually, they won the tournament, adding one more achievement to Singh's name.
#3 Manpreet Gony
Former Indian cricket team player Manpreet Gony played for four IPL franchises before following Yuvraj Singh's footsteps and becoming a member of the Toronto Nationals team in the Global T20 Canada competition.
The right-arm quick kicked off his IPL career with Chennai Super Kings. Some impressive performances for the MS Dhoni-led outfit helped him earn a place in the Indian cricket squad for the 2008 Asia Cup.
Unfortunately, he could not cement his place in the Indian cricket team. He then played for Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, and Gujarat Lions. However, after the IPL teams and the selectors neglected him, Gony announced his retirement and signed up for the Canadian tournament. He also played in the Qatar T10 League last year.
#2 Zaheer Khan
Another former Indian cricket team player who joined Yuvraj Singh in a foreign league was Zaheer Khan. The 2011 World Cup-winning player had announced his retirement from international cricket in 2015. He was still actively playing for the Delhi-based franchise in the IPL but in 2017, he called it a day on his IPL career.
Two years later, Khan returned to the field, playing for the Delhi Bulls in the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2019. The left-arm fast bowler bowled a magnificent spell against Lahore Qalandars during the competition. However, the Bulls could not achieve much success in the tourney.
#1 Murali Kartik
The first Indian cricket player to play in a foreign T20 league was Murali Kartik. The left-arm spinner turned up for the Middlesex Crusaders in the Stanford T20 competition. He picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches at a brilliant average of 20 to help Middlesex win the trophy.
Kartik is the only Indian cricket star who has both played and won the English T20 tournament. He also turned up for Middlesex in the British-Asian Cup match against Rajasthan Royals, dismissing Faiz Fazal. Unfortunately, Kartik's team could not win that game.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
