Every edition of IPL brings a new flavor and we lose a set of players either due to unavailability or age might have caught up with them. We bring to you a list of players whom we would have loved to watch in IPL 7. The list contains only players who have played in the IPL.
- Sachin Tendulkar – Cricket is never complete without this man. The support and the fan following that MI command now is all because SRT was associated with this team. He was a part of the winning IPL team and Champions league and decided to call it quits during last season of CL T20. TRP Ratings and spectators in the stadium would be dull since this genius retired. Not only MI fans , cricket fans in general would have loved to see Sachin with his trademark crouch , stare at the sun , walking to the pitch and stand at the non striker end. Every stroke of his would take us on a time journey and we would start associating that with any of his innings played during his 24 year career.
- Sourav Ganguly – Dada had his own set of followers who were inspired by his brand of leadership and his marvelous off side play. He may not have set the IPL blaze during his previous association with the IPL. Even though T20 was never his cup of tea his mere presence would send fans on hysteria. A classic example was when he was bought by the PWI later during the season and when he walked out to bat, an overwhelmed fan ran to the ground and touched his feet. And in another match when he took the wicket of KP and ran with joy, it sent goose bumps to every fan of him. DADAGIRI will be missed!
- Matthew Hayden – Since the advent of Michael Hussey CSK fans would have forgotten a players who was an integral part of the early editions of the IPL. Hayden’s commanding presence at the top terrorized bowlers during his international career and he also looked the part in IPL. Big booming cover drives, walking down the track to his fast bowlers to mid wicket, he was entertaining to watch. Added a bit of innovation at the end with his famous mangoose bat.
- Rahul Dravid – The troika of SRT, SCG and RSD may not have won matches for their respective teams in the IPL. Their international exploits are numerous and by the time IPL started they were in the fag end of their careers and were not suited to the format. The respect Dravid commanded in every dressing room and how his mere presence inspired younger players is well known. He also displayed great cricketing acumen and leadership skills during his last few seasons leading an unheralded Royals team. His legacy can be felt by watching the current core group of RR players.
- Adam Gilchrist – The greatest wicketkeeping batsman ever and one of the best hitters of the game retired from IPL in the previous edition. He was a hot property even though he retired from international cricket long time ago. IPL teams also bought him because of his captaincy skill and still aware of the fact that on his day he can be devastating. He played the odd innings of note like the one in the semi final of IPL 3. But his cheerfulness (His celebration after this first wicket in the IPL is still vivid) , audacious hitting and cool leadership kept him attracted to fans all over the world.
- Shane Warne – Dubbed “The Hollywood”, he brought sexy back to cricket through his bamboozling leg spin bowling. Brought by Rajasthan Royals, he inspired a young team of players to play to their capacity by his captaincy. Perhaps the way he gelled with younger players, making himself comfortable with Indian players by assigning nick names for each player according to their skillset and the manner in which he brought the best out of every player is an indication to Australian cricket that they missed a trick by not providing captaincy to such a shrewd cricketing brain. Every time he bowled there was a buzz amongst the viewers and he also ensured plenty of drama. The charisma of this wizard is unmatched and we all miss this champion in the IPL.
