Top Three Indian Players That Would Dominate Foreign T20 Leagues

Year after year, we see players putting up stellar performances in the IPL and not getting picked in the national team. A large part of the reason that some players - despite performing stellarly in the IPL - do not get picked in the Indian team is because of the increasing competition for spots. Traditionally, in other nations, such fringe players go around the world playing T20 leagues. Players such as Luke Wright and Colin Ingram, that are not even in contention for national selection by their respective nations, have still managed to go around the globe playing T20 leagues and performed well. Not only does having in these leagues improve the quality of cricket in these leagues, but is also helps players financially and gives them an opportunity to further showcase their skills to fans, selectors, and critics around the world. Despite the numerous benefits - on both sides - of players playing in different leagues around the world, Indian players do not play in any foreign leagues.

The BCCI currently prohibits Indian players from participating in T20 leagues hosted by foreign boards, citing protection of the IPL brand as the reason. However, in the recent, there have been a few indications that perhaps, one day in the future, Indian players would be allowed to compete and showcase their skills in such leagues. This slideshow looks at three players who are not active international players who could go on to dominate in these leagues.

Note: The reason extremely active international players have not been considered is because the Indian team has a very busy schedule and these players would have no window to play in foreign leagues.

#3 - Rishabh Pant

The blue-eyed boy of Indian cricket, Rishabh Pant, who is not yet a regular in the national team, could benefit from playing in other T20 leagues around the world. There is no doubt that after a dominant IPL season - in which he scored 684 runs and was considered the player of the tournament by many - he would be in high demand in many leagues around the world.

The wicketkeeper batsman, considered as the heir to MS Dhoni by many, would also immensely benefit from participating in such leagues. Not only would it give him more opportunities to showcase his skills against some of the best players in the world, but it would also give him exposure to playing in different kinds of conditions across the globe.

#2 - Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya, considered by many to be even more instrumental to the Mumbai Indians' success than his brother Hardik, would be valuable commodity for any team around the world to have. In an era where finger-spinners seem to be struggling, his bowling style - economical and effective - has shown to be extremely successful in the IPL, and there is no evidence to suggest that he could not replicate such success in other leagues around the world.

In addition to that, his batting, heavily underrated by most, would also be extremely effective. He is an explosive batsman who has provided many a flourish towards the end of the innings for the Mumbai Indians; however, his batting is not just one-dimensional as he has shown the ability to play the waiting game on several occasions, most notably in the 2017 IPL final, in which he was adjudged the man of the match. Seeing the utility of all-rounders in T20 cricket across the globe, Krunal surely would be a valuable addition to any side in the world.

#1 - Robin Uthappa

Perhaps a slightly left-field shout, but Robin Uthappa has shown in the IPL, time and time again, that he is good enough to take on and dominate against the best bowlers in the world. Since moving to the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, he has been successful, and even in the IPL 2018, despite not having a great season in terms of numbers, he looked in sublime touch.

Further, when he used to be regular in the Indian team, he also performed reasonably well on overseas tours, showing that his batting is not just suited to Indian conditions, but, in fact, good enough to combat any conditions in the world, at least in T20 cricket. Uthappa himself would also benefit immensely from playing in leagues around the world; with the inclusions of players such as Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, and Yuvraj Singh in recent years, the selectors have shown that, the door is not necessarily shut for older players. Playing in foreign leagues would enable Uthappa to make a case for his re-inclusion in the India set-up even more; and that is something that he would relish.