Only a few players can deliver quality performances consistently for over a decade. The world’s most popular T20 league is into its 13th season. How many players who have played from 2008 are still playing in the league?
We take a look at 11 players who featured in every Indian T20 season and are likely to play in the upcoming edition too.
Rohit Sharma
The Mumbaikar lasted just three balls in his debut in the Indian T20 league. But he bounced back with a 36-ball 66 against Delhi in the next match. Rohit Sharma’s success in the world’s most popular T20 league is unparalleled – five titles, four as captain, a hundred, 36 fifties, and a hat-trick.
Shikhar Dhawan
No batsman has scored more boundaries than Shikhar Dhawan in Indian T20 league. The Delhi-born opening batsman has hit a record 524 boundaries, 31 more than second-placed Suresh Raina. He played a pivotal role in Hyderabad’s title win in 2016, scoring 501 runs in 17 matches
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli and his teammates are still waiting for their maiden trophy, but the Bangalore skipper has piled up personal milestones and records in the league. He is the top run-scorer in the league – 5412 runs – and has scored five centuries so far – the most by an Indian. The 31-year-old was also involved in three 200-run partnerships.
Ab de Villiers
The South Africa legend is the only overseas player to feature in all 12 editions of the league. Ab de Villiers’ powerful hitting and exceptional athleticism have made him a popular figure among Indian cricket fans. Also, he and Virat Kohli have stitched together some memorable partnerships.
Suresh Raina
Why is Suresh Raina nicknamed Mr. IPL? The most appearances in the league – 193, record number of catches by a fielder – 102 and second top run-scorer – 5368 runs. And above all of that, the former India captain was the Man of The Match in Chennai’s maiden title win in 2010. He scored an unbeaten 57 off 35 balls in the final.
MS Dhoni
If there is a player who has performed the most number of rescue acts in the league, it is MS Dhoni. He has mastered the art of finishing off the match in the final over. The white-ball legend, who has guided Chennai to three titles, has won 104 matches as captain, 33 more than second-placed Gautam Gambhir.
Robin Uthappa
Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Robin Uthappa are the only Indian batsmen to have won the Orange Cap award. The 34-year-old also hit most sixes, 27, in the 2010 season, and scored ten consecutive 40-plus scores in his first season in Kolkata colours. The 34-year-old, who has also played for Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune, was a regular starter in a Kolkata team full of superstars.
Amit Mishra
Piyush Chawla
The fourth highest wicket-taker in the league is famous for his exploits with the bat in 2014 final. Piyush Chawla, who took two crucial wickets earlier in the match, hit a six when Kolkata needed 11 runs to win from 7 balls. He also hit the winning runs in the final over. The spinner, who has also played for Punjab, has taken more than ten wickets in every season except the 2017 edition.
Honourable mentions: Yusuf Pathan (none), Parthiv Patel (Bangalore), Manish Pandey (Hyderabad), Wriddhiman Saha (Hyderabad) and Dhawal Kulkarni (Mumbai).
