CLT20 2014: 8 players who preferred IPL teams over their home sides

Players preferring the better paying IPL teams over their domestic sides is not a new trend. In these modern times, we have even seen cricketers staying back to fulfill their club commitments missing some international matches as a casualty.Here are the eight players who have decided to stay with the IPL sides neglecting the teams from their own country for the same. The list includes more than one captain. Note: The list in no particular order.

#1 Keiron Pollard

Mumbai Indians - Barbados Tridents

The big-hitting West Indian is the first of three captains on the list who ditched their domestic T20 side. The 27-year-old lead Barbados Tridents to the Caribbean Premier League title this season, in which he made 200 runs in 10 innings at an average of 25.00 per dismissal. His medium-pace bowling fetched Pollard 6 wickets at 22.00 runs a piece at an economy of 8.80.

Where as in IPL 2014, the right-hander recorded 273 runs at 34.12 at a strike-rate of 134.48, but was poor with the ball. He was smashed for 10.48 runs an over for his 2 wickets at 131 runs each. And to rub salts in the wounds of Barbados fans, Pollard’s captaincy stint with the Tridents earned him the leadership role after Rohit Sharma was ruled out with multiple injuries.

#2 Lasith Malinga

Mumbai Indians - Southern Express

The skipper of the Sri Lankan Super 4’s T20 champions Southern Express. Considering the effectiveness of ‘the Slinger,’ it was undoubtedly a huge miss for the side that was further depleted by opener Tillakaratne Dilshan’s decision to skip the tournament.

Even though the seamer contributed only 2 wickets to the victorious season that saw two of their league matches washed out, Malinga would not have been a rival to his own home side in the qualifiers had he stayed with the Express. In IPL 2014, the pacer pocketed 16 wickets in 10 games at an incredible strike rate of 14.68 before leaving for international duties.

In the end, the team from the island nation couldn’t even conjure up a win whil MI have also been eliminated.

#3 Corey Anderson

Mumbai Indians - Northern Knights

The New Zealand all-rounder was picked up for a hefty price tag at the 2014 IPL auction and played 11 fruitless matches before rescuing a sinking ship in the final league match. His innings of 95* from just 44 deliveries stunned Rajasthan Royals and ensured that Mumbai Indians will have a chance to defend their Champions League title.

However, keeping him on the bench where he could’ve been a key player for the Knights raises questions on the system that is in use. Incidentally, the Knights did not avail the services of Anderson in the HRV T20 tournament as he was busy with the New Zealand international team.

Anderson must be regretting his decision now, having seen Mumbai Indians knocked out without playing a game, while his home side the Northern Knights have made it to the main tournament.

#4 Dwayne Smith

Chennai Super Kings - Barbados Tridents

The dynamic opener in his first season with Super Kings was far more influential in the initial stages of the competition. Despite losing momentum towards the end, the right-hander ended the season as the second highest run getter with 556 runs including 5 half-centuries. A healthy average of 35.37 and a good strike rate of 136.05 underlines his importance.

Considering fact that the Barbadian was more effective with the Caribbean team: 353 runs at 44.12 with 2 centuries and a fifty from 10 innings, means he will me missed dearly by the Tridents.

#5 David Miller

Kings XI Punjab - Dolphins

Kings XI Punjab fans should be extremely thankful for ‘Killer Miller,’ as he is often referred to in IPL, to have chosen the IPL side over the Ram Slam T20 winners. The 25-year-old is not just a slogger, but someone with genuine innings building skills that comes in handy in the middle phases. He can consolidate the innings and go for the kill. Add to that, he often scores more runs than any other batsman in the domestic competition back home.

In the 12 times he batted, he blasted 4 fifties and accumulated 383 runs at 47.87 with a highest score of 93*. His strike-rate of 153.20 makes one wonder how impactful the Protean was for his side. For the Mohali-based franchise, he was equally effective with 446 runs at 44.60 and three 50+ scores in the 2014 season.

#6 Pat Cummins

Kolkata Knight Riders - Perth Scorchers

The 21-year-old Australian fast bowler’s inclusion in the Knight Riders’ squad is of great importance as he is expected to fill in for the injured Morne Morkel. Having missed the majority of the domestic season with injury himself, Cummins has 4 wickets to show for his name in 4 outings for the Scorchers.

His IPL 2014 season went along with him being a consistent bench-warmer as even the great Jacques Kallis sat out owing to the 4-foreigner rule. In the single appearance he made he bowled the delivery of the season to dismiss the dangerous Dwayne Smith against Chennai Super Kings.

#7 George Bailey

Kings XI Punjab - Hobart Hurricanes

The Indian side secured the services of their captain meaning Australia’s Big Bash runner-ups Hobart Hurricanes were left with no option, but to enter with vice-captain Tim Paine as their leader. A fearsome batsman in the shorter format of the game and someone with a calm, steady cricketing brain is an asset for any team.

National duties meant Bailey got to lead Hurricanes in only three of their 10 matches this season and hence his absence from the team line-up will not be an irreparable loss. On the other hand, he always rose to the occasion with the Kings, and scored 257 runs at 28.55 this year.

#8 Jacques Kallis

Kolkata Knight Riders - Cape Cobras

The seasoned campaigner was not amongst the scheme of things after some erratic performances in IPL 2014 but still decided to stay with the Knight Riders leaving the Cobras in the cold. The all-rounder has already retired from international cricket and this might be the last time we see the South African in action in the tournament.

His profile reads 151 runs at 25.16 and 4 wickets at 46.50 per dismissal at 8.45 runs per over in IPL 2014, which are not the ideal numbers to contribute to success. Yet, the Gautam Gambhir led team will be looking up to the big man for healthy contributions in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.