IPL 2018: 4 veteran Indian cricketers who can take this season by storm

Many veteran Indian cricketers have played for various IPL franchises over the years. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag started playing in the IPL as marquee players for their 'home' franchises back in 2008.

They have thoroughly entertained the fans with their exceptional performances during the first decade of the IPL. Now, as the IPL enters its second decade, many of the veteran Indian cricketers have retired. But a few players continue to go strong. Let us now look at the veteran players to watch out for this season.

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Yuvraj Singh (Kings XI Punjab)

Yuvraj Singh

India’s 2011 World Cup-winning hero played for the Kings XI Punjab in the first three editions of the IPL (from 2008-2010) before moving to the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2011. He then moved to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a record INR 14 crore in 2014 and in the following season to the Delhi Daredevils for a staggering INR 16 crore. Yuvraj won the title under David Warner’s captaincy following his move to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016.

He played two seasons for the Orange Army (2016 and 2017) and was released by them prior to the 2018 auctions. In this year’s IPL auctions, Yuvraj was bought back by his former franchise Kings XI Punjab at his base price of INR 2 crore. In 120 matches, Yuvraj has scored 2587 runs at a strike-rate of 131.18 with his highest score being 83.

He has also taken 36 wickets at an economy of 7.37, with his best figures being 4/29. An interesting fact is that Yuvraj took two hattricks in a single season (2009), achieving the feat against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers. Fans across the globe would be delighted that Yuvi will once again don the Kings XI Punjab jersey in the 2018 IPL.

Harbhajan Singh (Chennai Super Kings)

Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan is one of a select few players to have played for the same franchise in the entire first decade of the IPL. Bhajji played for the Mumbai Indians from 2008-2017 and even captained the franchise in several games. He won three titles with the Mumbai Indians under skipper Rohit Sharma - in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In this year’s auctions, he was bought by the Chennai Super Kings at his base price of INR 2 crore after he was released by the Mumbai Indians' management.

He will surely be a valuable addition to the Super Kings as he brings with him a lot of experience. He can even contribute with the bat, adding vital runs lower down the order. With a lot of spinners in the CSK squad, his might also don the mentor role and guide the youngsters in the team.

In 137 IPL matches, Harbhajan has scored 779 runs at a strike-rate of 141.12 with his highest score being 64. He has 127 wickets at an economy of just 6.95, with his best figures being 5/18.

Gautam Gambhir (Delhi Daredevils)

Gautam Gambhir

The stylish southpaw played for the Delhi Daredevils in the first three editions of the IPL, before moving to the Shahrukh Khan co-owned Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011. Gambhir is credited with having scored the most number of boundaries in IPL history, a record 483 fours in 148 games. Gambhir has been a consistent performer with the bat in the IPL, scoring above 500 runs thrice in ten editions.

After his move to Kolkata in 2011, he transformed the side into a formidable force in the IPL, winning two titles (2012 and 2014) in three years. He was a solid top order batsman, a passionate leader and above all a crowd favourite at the City of Joy. If there is one player whom the Eden Gardens loved as much as Sourav Ganguly, then it has to be the adopted son of Kolkata - Gambhir.

Since the KKR management did not retain him for the 2018 IPL, he went into the auctions and was bought back by his former franchise, Delhi Daredevils, for INR 2.8 crore and made their captain for this season. In 148 IPL matches, Gambhir has scored 4132 runs at a strike-rate of 124.60, with his highest score being 93.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)

MS Dhoni

Arguably one of the finest captains to have graced the game, Dhoni continues to be the longest-serving IPL skipper. The Chennai Super Kings, who are returning to the IPL after a two-year hiatus, retained their skipper and star player for INR 15 crore prior to this year’s auctions. Under Dhoni, the Super Kings have reached a whopping eight playoffs in as many seasons. This time, he will be captaining the Chennai Super Kings for a record ninth season in the IPL.

Dhoni became the first ever Indian skipper to win the IPL title when he led the CSK to glory in 2010. In the next season in 2011, the Chennai Super Kings successfully defended the crown and Dhoni became the first ever skipper to defend his title, the record which he holds till date. In 160 IPL matches, Dhoni has scored 3566 runs with a strike-rate of 135.68, with his highest score being 70*.

An excellent player behind the stumps, Dhoni has 76 catches and 30 stumpings to his name. Having a player like Dhoni is a dream for all the franchises as his cricketing knowledge, valuable inputs, experience are priceless.