The IPL has been grabbing eyeballs ever since it commenced. It has been the perfect stage for cricketers to display their unique set of skills. The most astonishing part about the revered league is that it has completely entertained cricket lovers from the very first edition.
The aura of the IPL just amplifies with every passing edition. Year after year, we get to see some sparkling performances from renowned individuals, as well as some from undiscovered young Indian talent.
More often than not, viewers tend to remember the exhilarating batting displays. Throughout the course of the IPL, we have seen some exceptional performances with the bat. However, there have been a few individuals, who have been missing from the IPL since the past few seasons.
The presence of these individuals would have simply augmented the entertainment quotient of the Indian Premier League. The IPL already has won millions of hearts. But the presence of certain individuals would have led to greater satisfaction among the viewers.
In this article, we have a look at the Top-5 batsmen we would like to see in IPL, who are missed currently, so that the viewers are entertained more –
5. KUMAR SANGAKKARA:
This Sri Lankan legend recently hung up his boots from ODI cricket. Sangakkara has been in unbelievable form since the last four years. He has freakish numbers associated with his name. While he bats, the bowlers simply await their doom! He has surely had the Midas touch along with him.
Be it the tests or the ODI’s or the T20’s, Sanga has amassed tons of runs everywhere. But his absence from the IPL has been completely baffling to say the least. With the form he was in at the time of the auctions, Sanga should have fetched millions. But rather shockingly he was unsold!
His absence is simply like a misery for the viewers. His authentic drives even melt the hearts of the opposing bowlers. Had he played in this IPL, he would have surely scored heavily. Without the burden of national duties, Sanga would have sparkled. But that was not to be!
4. JOS BUTTLER:
Buttler has literally worshipped MS Dhoni as a cricketer. Fair to say, in many ways he plays like Dhoni himself! When he connects, the ball is often out of the park. He possesses a certain set of skills which are a nightmare for any bowler.
The 24 year-old English wicket keeper has done wonders for his national side in the limited overs. His clean striking even impressed the great Sir Viv Richards himself who had accolades for this fine batsman. However, his absence from the IPL is really sad. Buttler would have thrived in the Indian conditions. His lusty blows straight down the ground are a welcome sight. The viewers would have surely enjoyed watching this talented 24 year old bat.
3. MARTIN GUPTILL:
The Kiwi opener was at his best in the 2015 World Cup. He showed that on his day he can be as destructive as anyone. His brutal knock of 237* against the West Indies in the quarter final was breathtaking. His record in the subcontinent hasn’t been too bad either. His bat swing and clinical hitting has been awe-inspiring.
Despite performing consistently year after year, Guptill has been ignored by the IPL franchises. His record in domestic T20’s is very good as well. As an opener, he averages 35.07 at a strike rate of 125.42. Along with that, he also has two tons to his name. It would have been a delight watching him bat.
2. ALEX HALES:
This swashbuckling England opener has been at his best in international T20’s ever since he made his debut. Hales has found tremendous success in all conditions. The English T20 side has simply thrived under the brutal batting of Hales. His starts at the top have been fantastic.
In the 2014 T20 World Cup, Hales played a sensational innings against Sri Lanka and scored a well deserved ton. Playing under lights and in alien conditions, it was among the best T20 knocks of all time. It is a complete shame that he does not have an opportunity to open for an IPL side. He found great success in the KFC Big Bash as well. We would have loved to watch him in full flow in the IPL.
1. SHAHID AFRIDI:
BOOM BOOM AFRID! This evergreen Pathan from Pakistan has fan following in every cricket playing nation. The viewers simply go gaga over his style and attitude. His swagger is simply too irresistible. It is a famous saying in the subcontinent that when Afridi bats, even the bowlers enjoy getting hammered. His meaty blows over deep midwicket have entertained cricket viewers since an eternity.
With Afridi, people do not expect him to be the numbers man. Very rarely, does Afridi play for a big knock. His motto is to entertain people and that’s what he completely does. With diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan deteriorating, Afridi’s absence from the IPL is unfortunate. The Indian viewers would have loved to watch him in full flow. Whenever he comes out to bat, people often get glued to the TV screens.
The IPL is simply fantastic and there are no second thoughts about that. But the presence of these batsmen would have made it far more enthralling.