Five Indian players who will benefit from playing in foreign T20 leagues

Modified Mar 24, 2017 14:43 IST

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRCA - OCTOBER 13: Yusuf Pathan of the Kolkata Knights bats during the Karbonn Smart CLT20 match between Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL) and Delhi Daredevils (IPL) at SuperSport Park on October 13, 2012 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images) — Yusuf Pathan was not given an NOC by the BCCI to play in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz

#3 Robin Uthappa

NAGPUR, INDIA - OCTOBER 14: Robin Uthappa of India hits to mid off with Adam Gilchrist of Australia looking on during the sixth one day international match between India and Australia at at the VCA Stadium on October 14, 2007 in Nagpur, India. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images) — Robin Uthappa could be a good option to succeed MS Dhoni as India’s next wicket-keeper batsman in the limited overs format

Having made his debut for India as a 20-year-old in 2006, Uthappa has been on the periphery of national team selection for a long time but has never managed an extended run in the Indian team. A key member of the 2007 T20 World Cup winning team, Uthappa continues to shine in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders and in domestic cricket with Karnataka.

The player has a proven record in the shortest format of the game, and he will almost certainly be on the short lists of many franchises if he is permitted to play in foreign T20 leagues.

An explosive batsman, who has been keeping regularly for KKR in recent seasons, Uthappa is four years younger to Mahendra Singh Dhoni and could be a reliable option to succeed the former India captain in the limited overs format for India in the near future.