The Indian Premier League has given India and the world many talented cricketers who have represented their teams with distinction. Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal are some of the players who have used the IPL as a stepping stone to greater success.
However, not every IPL story has a fairytale ending. Many players have enjoyed one good season in the IPL, raised hopes of a fine career before losing their way.
Here we look at 10 players who turned out to be one-hit wonders in the IPL:
PAUL VALTHATY
Valthaty was on fire in 2011.
The Kings XI Punjab batsman was just a couple of knocks away from an India call-up during the 2011 edition where he scored 463 runs from 14 matches. However, scored just 30 runs in six games the next year and featured in one match in 2013 before fading away.
SWAPNIL ASNODKAR
Asnodkar is still playing domestic cricket.
The Goa batsman was one of the stars of the inaugural IPL in 2008, hitting 311 runs from nine matches for the Rajasthan Royals. The diminutive opener however never reached that level again and is now a domestic batsman with 10,000 runs under his belt.
KAMRAN KHAN
The Rajasthan Royals left-arm fast bowler was said to be the next big thing by the then team captain Shane Warne in 2009. However, he was reported for a suspect action and Kamran was soon sidelined within a couple of seasons. According to last reports, Kamran now works on a farm in his state of Uttar Pradesh. Part of the tennis ball cricket league in the UAE.
MANPREET GONY
Gony has represented India.
The Punjab fast bowler picked up 17 wickets in the inaugural edition for Chennai Super Kings. Played two ODIs for India but has since been plagued by dip in bowling form and issues in his personal life. Didn’t play the IPL for three years before getting one game for Gujarat Lions last year.
MURUGAN ASHWIN
The leg spinner played 10 matches for the Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 but was benched throughout the 2017 season by Delhi Daredevils. Has been picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for this season but the once promising leggie has not stepped up to the next level.
SAURABH TIWARY
Tiwary has remained part of IPL despite any stellar performances.
Made a name for himself in 2010 by hitting 419 runs in 16 matches for Mumbai Indians while sporting the then India captain MS Dhoni’s hairstyle. Ended up playing three ODIs for India. But has not scored more than 200 runs in any season of the IPL since. He is only 28 but Indian selectors have moved on.
RAHUL SHARMA
Rahul Sharma doesn’t play competitively now.
The leg-spinner had one good season – 2011 for Pune Warriors with 16 wickets from 11 matches. Played four ODIs and two T20s for India. Hasn’t featured in the IPL since 2014. Back issues have also stymied his career. Hasn’t played any competitive cricket in nearly four years.
LUKE POMERSBACH
Pomersbach has retired.
The Aussie batsman smashed 152 runs in four innings in the inaugural season for King XI Punjab. Had already made his T20 debut for Australia. But a string of disciplinary issues, health concerns and indifferent form truncated his T20 career and he retired from the sport in 2014.
SHIVIL KAUSHIK
The spinner with the ‘frog in a blender’ action made headlines only for his bowling action and not much else for the Gujarat Lions in 2016. Once the novelty wore off, his effectiveness plummeted. Hasn’t played an official competitive match since September.
IQBAL ABDULLA
Abdulla is an U19 World Cup winner.
The left-arm spinner was earmarked for great deeds after helping India win the 2008 U19 World Cup under Virat Kohli. However, the 2011 season remains his only noteworthy effort in the IPL where he picked up 16 wickets from 15 games. Hasn’t played competitively since the last IPL.
