The Indian Premier League provides a platform to lesser-known domestic players from around the world to showcase their talent and make a mark, but it works as a great leveller too, as some of the biggest names in the game are forced to wait on the sidelines.
The IPL 2020 has followed a similar story. While some Indian youngsters have impressed in the limited opportunities they have got, a few overseas players have been left waiting and are yet to make an appearance this season.
Here, we look at five overseas stars who have yet to play in IPL 2020 and might not get a game in the remainder of the tournament too.
Mitchell Santner – CSK
The sixth-ranked T20I bowler in the world, Mitchell Santner is yet to play for Chennai Super Kings this year. With Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo taking up the four overseas spots, and another top spinner in Imran Tahir waiting for his chance, Santner has had to make do with watching on as CSK have struggled to three wins from eight matches.
Imran Tahir – CSK
The 2019 IPL’s Purple Cap winner with 26 wickets, Tahir has had to look on from the sidelines as the team that reached the final of the tournament last year has struggled significantly this year. Tahir would have been a straightforward choice in the CSK XI any other year but with Sam Curran making an overseas spot his own and the presence of three Indian spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla and Karn Sharma, Tahir’s chances of playing an IPL encounter this year look slim.
Mitchell McClenaghan – Mumbai Indians
McClenaghan has been a crucial player for Mumbai Indians in the past, picking 18, 17, 19 and 14 wickets in his first four seasons at the club. In 2019, however, McClenaghan played only five matches, taking three wickets at 47, and is yet to make an appearance this season.
Trent Boult and James Pattinson, Lasith Malinga’s replacement, are Mumbai Indians’ two overseas quicks and have taken 20 wickets between them already. With Jasprit Bumrah the prime Indian quick in the side, and Nathan Coulter-Nile waiting in the dugout alongside him, McClenaghan might not get an IPL match to play at all this season.
Chris Lynn – Mumbai Indians
Bought for INR 2 crores in the auction, Chris Lynn is yet to add to his 41 IPL appearances this season. Mumbai Indians have started on the front foot this and are currently top of the pile, saving them from excessive chopping and changing.
Lynn’s spot at the top of the batting order is Quinton de Kock’s currently, and the South African is picking up form as the tournament progresses, making it even harder for the Australian to get an IPL game this season.
Lockie Ferguson – KKR
Lockie Ferguson is one of the best white-ball quicks going around, as was apparent during the 2019 World Cup when he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker behind Mitchell Starc. But he doesn’t seem to be in KKR’s plans this season with Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Pat Cummins taking up the four overseas spots.
Even when Narine missed out on a game, Tom Banton took his spot, further confirming that Ferguson will have to do with a seat in the dugout as KKR try and make their way to the playoffs.
