IPL 2018: 3 retired players who are likely to make a mark in the tournament

#2 Brendon McCullum (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

McCullum is one of the most entertaining batsmen

Brash, powerful and extremely entertaining, this superstar from New Zealand is easily one of the best wicket-keepers of his era. Never afraid to take risks, he stunned the cricketing world when he scooped Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes bowling at 155 kph above the wicket-keeper on the way to his first T20 international century.

He made his debut for New Zealand in the 2002 series against arch-rivals Australia and made his Test debut against South Africa in 2004. Predominantly selected for his batting skills he improved his keeping considerably as time went by. However, injuries continued to take a toll on him and a persistent back injury forced him to relinquish his role behind the stumps and concentrate primarily on his batting. He ended his international career in some style as he smashed the fastest Test century, in his last Test match against Australia.

The IPL will always be grateful to him for lighting up the tournament with an electrifying knock of 158* playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural match. Since then, he has turned up for the Kochi Tuskers as well as the Chennai Super Kings in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

His IPL record is very impressive. In 103 matches so far he has accumulated 2754 runs at a blistering strike rate of 131 studded with 13 half-centuries and two centuries.

McCullum played for the Gujarat Lions for the last two seasons and is now a part of the formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore line up for the 2018 season.