Over the last few years, IPL has emerged as the biggest platform for young cricketers to prove their mettle and establish their name in international cricket. In the same manner, this T20 cricket league has also provided an opportunity for experienced cricketers to still hang around in the limelight post retirement.
Cricketers across the world have used IPL as an effective medium to stay connected with the game even after their retirement from international cricket and in fact, some cricketers have performed so well in this tournament that fans on numerous occasions have questioned whether their retirement was a bit too early.
IPL 2017 saw numerous cricketers stepping out on the cricket field donning franchise colours years after hanging up their boots in the international circuit. Here we look at the performances of such top five cricketers in this year’s IPL.
#5 Mitchell Johnson
The Aussie pacer retired from international cricket in 2015 and since then has appeared rarely in the IPL. After spending a year with KXIP, the left-arm pacer was bought back by Mumbai in 2017 but has featured in only two games so far.
The presence of Malinga and McClenaghan in the Mumbai squad has hampered Johnson’s chances of making it to the playing XI and his average performance in the two matches he played has further ensured that he warmed the benches for the most part of this year’s IPL.
In two games so far, Johnson has bowled eight overs, conceding 57 runs. Although his economy rate of 7.12 is acceptable, the fact that he has picked up only one wicket is certainly disappointing.
Johnson with his slingy action and pace is always an asset for any team in any format but his numbers this year have been discouraging so far. Given the way things are at the Mumbai camp, for now, it seems that the former Aussie frontline pacer may not feature again in IPL 2017.
Lasith Malinga is having a lean patch in this year’s IPL as well and that serves as Johnson’s only hope of making it to the playing XI.
#4 Dwayne Smith
One of the core members of Gujarat Lions and also one of the prime reasons for their abysmal performance in this year’s IPL, Dwayne Smith will also look to forget this year’s IPL.
With only 193 runs in 12 innings, this West Indies batsman failed to make any significant impact this season. His strike rate of 150.40 looks impressive but his average of 17.54 is indicative of his poor performance.
His innings of 74 against Punjab was certainly a pleasant reminder of his abilities but unfortunately for the Lions’ fans that innings turned out to be an exception rather than the norm.
Smith has failed to deliver in the bowling department as well. With only two wickets and an economy rate of above 10, Smith surely is a serious contender for the title of ‘biggest failure of IPL 2017’.
#3 Shane Watson
Shane Watson is another star player who failed to make an impact in this year’s IPL. Part of the worst team in this season’s IPL, this Australian all-rounder was a failure with the bat as well as the ball.
In seven games he scored only 67 runs and managed to get into double figures only twice. If his batting was horrendous then his bowling was even more pathetic. He leaked runs at more than 10 runs per over and his inaccurate efforts the during death overs cost RCB decisive runs on more than one occasion. On the wickets’ front, Watson managed to pick up only four.
His failure in both departments affected RCB’s team balance and the team paid a heavy price for banking on the former Australian stalwart in crunch moments.
#2 Brendon McCullum
This former New Zealand skipper was one the few players who even after their retirement looked absolutely fit and in terrific form. Brendon McCullum tried to steer Gujarat’s sinking ship with his inspiring performances but he seldom received any support.
He was one of Gujarat’s leading run scorers before a hamstring injury ruled him out. He scored 319 runs from 11 innings and that too at a healthy strike rate of 147.00.
After 11 matches, McCullum had hit the most number of sixes (18) for Gujarat and he was the main reason for their aggressive starts in the powerplay overs.
In the field as well, he was a live wire and took eight catches – his second highest numbers in any IPL season. After watching his scintillating performance, fans will be expecting some more action from McCullum in next year’s IPL.
#1 Zaheer Khan
The skipper of the Delhi Daredevils, Zaheer Khan led his young team with a lot of passion and aggression. Although the results weren’t that great for Delhi, Zaheer’s captaincy was certainly impressive and entertaining to watch.
On the individual front, he managed to earn only seven wickets in 10 games but his economy of fewer than eight runs per over speak volumes of the ability he still possesses with the ball. His smart use of variations and his ability to set the batsmen up certainly brought back the memories of old Zaheer.
Among all the cricketers who participated in this year’s IPL following their international retirement, Zaheer Khan’s performance certainly stands out.
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