IPL: Top 5 foreign players of all time

The Indian Premier League is, quite simply, the most lucrative, star-studded cricket tournament in the world. The trend of franchise-based cricket started through IPL and many such competitions like Big Bash have started in different parts of the world. The success of IPL has laid down the foundations for all the other leagues.

The only thing that differentiates Indian domestic circuit from IPL, other than the massive volumes of money involved, is the inclusion of foreign players. The main objective of the league of 'finding new talent' was taken care of by ensuring only four foreign players make it to the playing XI.

There have been many foreign players who have had a great impact in past decade of the IPL. Let us have a look at 5 best foreign players to have played in the IPL.

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#5. David Warner

The hard-hitting batsman from Australia has been the most consistent performer for the Hyderabad franchise over the past three years. As a captain, he leads the team from the front with his aggressive batting and excellent decisions on the field.

After spending five seasons with the Delhi franchise, he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL Auction in 2014 and has since been the fulcrum of the Sunrisers top order. He led the team to their maiden title victory in 2016 and was also the top scorer in IPL 2017 as he scored 641 runs at an average of above 40 and strike rate of 142.

IPL STATS

Batting stats

Matches Played- 114 | Runs Scored- 4014 | Average- 40.54 | Strike Rate- 142.13

#4. Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo is one of the best all-rounders to have played in the IPL. He is particularly known for his aggressive batting in the middle order, and for his death bowling. His ability to bowl slower balls at will makes him one of the most skilled bowlers in world cricket.

Bravo played for the Mumbai Indian in the first three seasons but was picked up by the Chennai Super Kings during 2011 IPL Auctions. He was one of the top performing players in the 2012 IPL, scoring 461 runs at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 178 and was also the team's highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets.

The West Indian is one of the two men to have won the purple cap twice. He was the first player to have scored 1000 runs and taken 100 wickets in the history of the IPL.

Bravo was bought back by CSK using RTM at a whopping Rs. 6.4 crore.

IPL STATS

Batting Stats

Matches Played- 106 | Runs Scored- 1262 | Average- 22.95 | Strike Rate- 126.33

Bowling Stats

Wickets - 122 | Bowling Average - 22.58 | Economy Rate- 8.2

#3. Shane Watson

Shane Watson was part of Rajasthan Royals since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. After being sidelined due to injuries, Watson joined Royals and emerged the Player of the Tournament in the first edition of the tournament. That season also helped him make an improbable comeback to international cricket.

Watson is also the only player to have won the man of the tournament award twice.

This year, he was bought at a whopping Rs. 9.5 crores by RCB in 2016 IPL auction. After playing there for two years, he would be playing for the Chennai Super Kings in 2018 IPL.

IPL STATS

Batting Stats

Matches Played- 102 | Runs Scored- 2622 | Average- 31.21 | Strike Rate- 138.65

Bowling Stats

Wickets - 86 | Bowling Average - 28.26 | Economy Rate- 7.83

#2. Lasith Malinga

Undoubtedly the most devastating bowler in IPL in the last decade was Lasith Malinga. A Mumbai Indians icon and a legend of the game, he has helped his team win 3 IPL titles. His slingy round-arm action, pace, ability to generate bounce and reverse swing have created a lot of problems for the opposition batsmen.

Malinga also holds the record for the most bowled dismissals in Twenty20 cricket. After missing IPL 2008 due to a knee injury, he was at his devastating best in IPL 2009. He won the purple cap in 2011 as he took 28 wickets in just 16 matches with an exceptional average of 13.39. He was retained in 2014 IPL auctions and repaid the faith as he helped Mumbai Indians win the IPL in the following season.

After having a sub-par last year, Malinga went unsold in 2018 IPL Auctions.

IPL STATS

Bowling Stats

Matches Played - 110 | Wickets - 154 | Bowling Average - 19.01 | Economy Rate- 6.86

#1. Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle is widely acknowledged as the most devastating and destructive batsman in the history of T20 cricket. In the first three editions of the IPL, he failed to find his touch so much so that he went through the auction unsold after being left out by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

However, after few months, Dirk Nannes suffered an injury and RCB brought Gayle as his replacement - a decision which proved to be a masterstroke.

The West Indian was the highest run-scorer next two seasons, earning the Orange Cap in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, he scored 175 runs against Pune Warriors which, highest at any level in T20s.

Gayle has hit 265 sixes over the course of the IPL which is way more than any other player. He was bought by KXIP at a base price of Rs. 2 Crore.

IPL STATS

Batting stats

Matches Played- 101 | Runs Scored- 3626 | Average- 41.20 | Strike Rate- 151.20