A look at what Rashid Khan, Jos Buttler and other IPL star performers have done after end of their India stint

Ajit Vijaykumar 18:10 06/06/2018
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  • The Indian Premier League provided an opportunity for many cricketers, both local and international, to test themselves against the best in the world and under pressure situations.

    Obviously, not everyone succeeded. Out of those who did deliver, many are on a break at the moment. However for some, work continues. Here we look at the star performers of IPL 2018 who are playing competitive cricket at the moment.

    RASHID KHAN

    Vivo IPL 2018 Qualifier 2 - SRH v KKR

    The star Afghanistan spinner picked up 21 wickets in IPL 2018 and was the top bowler in the final stretch of the tournament. Rashid took 2-48 for World XI against the West Indies at Lord’s, in a charity match to help rebuild venues devastated by hurricanes in the Caribbean, and followed it up a couple of devastating performances in the first two T20s against Bangladesh in Dehradun.

    Rashid picked up 3-13 in the first match in their new ‘home’ ground and followed it up with 4-12 in the second game to seal a series win.

    JOS BUTTLER

    England v Pakistan: NatWest 1st Test - Day One

    The England batsman was struggling in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals. Then the management decided to open the innings with him and Buttler cracked five successive fifties. So impressive was his form that Buttler was picked as a batsman for the Pakistan Test series and put in scores of 14, 67 and 80*.

    His innings of 80 clinched the second Test Test at Headingley after the hosts had fallen behind at Lord’s. More importantly, it was a shot in the arm for new selector Ed Smith’s whose decision to go with his gut feel paid off.

    JOFRA ARCHER

    The Barbadian was brilliant with the ball for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL after recovering from a side strain. He took that form to the One-Day Cup in England as he registered 0-53 and 2-53 in two innings for Sussex. He also scored 33 and 19 in those games.

    More importantly, news has emerged of Archer being fast tracked into the England set-up after proposed amendments to England cricket’s residency rules. Archer is at the peak of his game and England would give anything to have him in the team for the 2019 World Cup at home.

    SHAKIB AL HASAN

    The Bangladesh star was a crucial member of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team with the bat and ball. He picked up 14 wickets and scored 239 runs in IPL 2018 but wasn’t on top of his game against Afghanistan in the T20 series. Shakib took just one wicket from two games and failed to cross 15.

    Maybe a demanding IPL with the bat and ball has taken a lot out of the Bangladesh icon.

    SANDEEP LAMICHHANE

    The Nepalese leg-spinner finally got some gametime in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils and dazzled in three games, picking up five wickets. After the IPL got over, the teenager went to Lord’s to play for the World XI against the West Indies.

    In that T20 match, Sandeep was the last bowling option tried by captain Shahid Afridi and he went for 12 runs in one over.

    MUJEEB UR RAHMAN

    The Afghanistan leg-spinner had been out of action after injuring his bowling hand in the IPL playing for Kings XI Punjab. He missed the crucial final stages of the tournament. However, Mujeeb returned to the team for the T20 series against Bangladesh looking to hit his strides ahead of the inaugural Test against India in Bengaluru on June 14.

    Mujeeb picked up just the one wicket against Bangladesh in two the T20s so far but kept the scoring rate down – 0-15 and 1-20 from four overs each.

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