5 overseas players whose careers were resurrected by IPL

Indian Premier League stands out as a show stopper for numerous reasons. The sheer competitiveness, the rip-roaring on-field action, and the off-field revelry are a few reasons why IPL has managed to entertain sports lovers over the past decade. With millions of spectators as the witness, the cricketing carnival also proves to be a stepping stone to many young talents who thrive in a T20 realm that is several cuts above that of other tournaments.

In addition to grooming young talents, IPL has even helped resurrect the careers of many accomplished players. These players, owing to their noteworthy performances in the tournament, were able to restore faith in the selectors and franchise owners elsewhere, and ended up being presented with call-ups to either their national squad or got signed to play in other T20 tournaments.

Here are 5 such overseas players for whom IPL opened the gates for multiple possibilities.

#5 Sohail Tanvir

Sohail Tanvir won the purple cap in the inaugural edition of IPL

One of the major talking points in the first edition of IPL was the remarkable emergence of Rajasthan Royals. From being tagged as the underdogs at the start of the tournament to ending up as the winners of IPL's first season, the franchise's journey was propelled by some fabulous performances. One such star performer of the team was Pakistan's Sohail Tanvir.

The lanky left-arm pacer outfoxed the batsmen with his outlandish bowling action and guile. Tanvir had a memorable season that included his career-best T20 figures of 6-14 which demolished Chennai Super Kings in a league match. The Pakistani player, who fittingly hit the winning runs in the final, was presented the purple cap for being the tourney's most successful bowler with 22 scalps in 11 games.

Thanks to these heroics, IPL 2008 flung the doors wide open for Sohail Tanvir as many franchises and domestic teams across the world signed him up to repeat his magic. Eventually, Tanvir was also given due importance by the national selectors, who awarded him with frequent selections in the shorter formats.

#4 Dwayne Smith

Dwayne Smith was one of CSK's top performers in 2014

2013 saw Dwayne Smith play crucial knocks for Mumbai Indians, who went on to be crowned as the season's champions. The stocky right-handed batsman scored 413 runs in 13 games at an impressive strike rate of 122.58.

In the following edition, Dwayne Smith came out all guns blazing for Chennai Super Kings. Forming an explosive opening duo with Brendon McCullum, Smith proved to be a vital cog in the franchise's run in the sixth edition of IPL. The West Indies player amassed 566 runs in 16 games at a whopping strike rate of 136.05. En route, Smith scored 5 half centuries and also ended up as the tournament's second highest run-getter.

Eventually, Dwayne Smith, who chips in with timely wickets too, was called back to the Windies squad to play in the ODIs and T20s against England. Other franchises too soon signed up the big-hitter to play in their respective leagues.

#3 Lendl Simmons

Lendl Simmons proved to be a great asset for Mumbai Indians

Many remember Lendl Simmons for his knocks for Mumbai Indians rather than those for his national team. Such has been the right-hander's impact in one of cricket's most popular leagues.

Replacing Jalaj Saxena, Lendl Simmons, donning the MI jersey, took the bowlers to the cleaners in IPL 2014. The hard-hitting batsman represented the franchise in 8 games that season and blasted 394 runs at a staggering average of 56.28. The 2014 edition also witnessed Simmons make his first T20 hundred.

In 2015, the man from Trinidad and Tobago continued from where he signed off in the previous edition. He went on to compile 540 runs in 13 games to stand out as the season's third most successful batsman.

Consistent runs in IPL proved handy for Simmons as he was awarded a permanent spot in the T20I side before inconsistency and injuries played a spoil-sport.

#2 David Miller

David Miller continues to be one of Kings XI Punjab's linchpins

David Miller, who made his debut for South Africa in 2010, came into Kings XI Punjab as a replacement for Dimitri Mascarenhas in 2011. However, it was not until 2013 that the southpaw took the tournament by storm.

From pummeling the bowlers with some lusty blows to steering his side home on many occasions, David Miller proved to the batting mainstay for KXIP. The sixth edition also saw the tall left-hander maul Royal Challengers Bangalore with a 38 ball hundred. Miller ended the season as Punjab's highest run-getter with 418 runs from 12 games at a startling average of 59.71 and a strike rate of 164.56 runs per 100 balls.

After setting the 2013 edition ablaze, Miller returned to the seventh edition with fostered spirits. He, along with Glenn Maxwell, played a crucial role in helping the Kings reach their first final in the tournament. His big-hitting prowess in IPL also earned him the tag of "Killer-Miller."

The South African eventually caught the eye of the selectors who bet horses on his transformation and named him in the squad for Champions Trophy. Since then. Miller has evolved into a crucial member of South Africa's squads for the shorter formats.

#1 Shane Watson

Shane Watson was pivotal in Rajasthan Royals' success in 2008

The first edition of IPL will be truly cherished by Shane Watson for a long period to come. After being an irregular member of Australia squad for a prolonged period, Watson was presented the opportunity of playing for Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and boy didn't he grab it with both hands.

The Aussie all-rounder took charge as the lead of the batting department as he beat the pulp out of the oppositions' bowling attacks. Watson made 472 runs from 15 games at a remarkable strike rate of 151.72. Apart from his superlative knocks with the willow, he proved to be Shane Warne's go-to man with the ball as well. Watson chipped in with wickets (17 in the season) in tricky situations and pulled his team over the line on multiple occasions.

His heroics in leading the franchise lift the 2008 title, soon resulted in a comeback to the national squad, as a replacement to an injured Matthew Hayden, on Australia's tour to the West Indies. Watson established himself as a bankable opener and eventually, went on to shoulder Australia's top order in all the three formats of the game.