5 CPL stars who never got a chance in the IPL

The West Indies have won the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2016. Hence, it’s understandable that the Islands have produced a number of skilled T20 players over the years. The success in the format has translated in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as well. The Biggest Party in Sport started back in 2013 and has only grown in popularity. The seventh edition is currently underway.

Though CPL is a popular league, many players from across the globe, aspire playing in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). Many players from the CPL, including the likes of Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and others have played in the tournament in India. However, a number of big names in the CPL have never gotten the privilege, despite being in the auction.

Here, we take a look at five CPL stars who never played the IPL

Chadwick Walton

Chadwick Walton has been a part of the renowned T20 league ever since its inaugural edition. In those years, the Jamaica-born has played 63 matches in which he has notched 1572 runs at an average of 27.10. Moreover, the 34-year-old has eight half-centuries at a strike-rate of around the 120-mark. Walton mostly bats at the top of the order and unleashes his wide range of strokes.

His top score of 97 came against the Barbados Tridents, representing the Jamaica Tallawahs, at the Sabina Par, Kingston way back in July 2016.  The average can be a tad better with the skills he possesses. In the CPL, Walton is currently plying his trade for the Tallawahs. Previously, he also represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors. He remained unsold in the auction of the 2018 IPL.

Andre Fletcher

The St Lucia-franchise, be it the Zouks or the Stars, has underperformed and has finished mostly at the bottom of the table. But one of the regular stars in Andre Fletcher is among the leading run-scorers in the history of the tournament. Before the 2019 CPL, Fletcher had racked up 1686 runs at an average of 33.05. The 31-year-old has 11 fifties to his name with a strike-rate of around 115.

His highest score of an unbeaten 84 came back in 2017 versus the Tallawahs. Unfortunately, it came in a losing cause as the opponent won by five wickets. The Grenada-born is someone, who likes to take the attack to the opposition. This season, he is a part of the Zouks. As far as the IPL is concerned, he was listed in the 2018 auction at INR 50 lakhs, but the batter didn’t find any buyer.

Sheldon Cottrell

Sheldon Cottrell has done exceptionally for the West Indies of late and has been a genuine wicket-taker in the CPL as well. The left-arm speedster had only played 42 matches prior to this season and picked up 57 wickets. The tall fast bowler has the potential of getting wickets in the early overs as well as at the death. The southpaw can bowl both the bouncers and yorkers with sheer ferocity.

His bowling average is around 19, which is presently the least among the top wicket-takers in the six editions of the T20 extravaganza. The economy of 7.28 is also commendable, bearing in mind the stages where he bowlers. He is currently playing for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. In the IPL, he was a part of the 2018 and 2019 auctions at INR 50 lakhs, but both times, he returned empty-handed.

Johnson Charles

Johnson Charles plays at a strike-rate of 130 in the CPL and that’s shows, how much he likes to dominate the bowling. Batting at the top of the order, the 30-year-old has taken his sides to blistering starts on a number of instances. He has been a part of the tournament from 2013 and has represented the St Lucia-franchises, the Tallawahs, Antigua Hawksbills and Barbados Tridents.

The 30-year-old is presently playing for the Jason Holder-led Tridents in the current edition. Prior to that, the St Lucia-born racked up 1427 runs in 55 matches at an average of 26.92. Charles has nine CPL half-centuries to his name with his top score of 94 not out coming against the Warriors back in 2016 at Gros Islet. Charles was there in the 2018 and 2019 IPL auction, but couldn’t find any bid.

Rayad Emrit

Rayad Emrit may not be the most intimidating bowler going around in the world. But he knows the art of churning out wickets at crucial junctures, keeping the runs in check. Even at the age of 38, he hasn’t run out of gas. Over the years, he has played for the Warriors, the Patriots and the Tridents. This season, he is a part of the Patriots and is partnering the likes of Cottrell and Alzarri Joseph.

Before the ongoing season, Emrit played 64 matches and notched 73 wickets at an impressive strike-rate of about 18. The economy of 7.72 is considerable as he is mostly entrusted to bowl in the dying stages of an innings. If he plays a couple of more seasons, then he may well end up with 100 wickets in the CPL. Emrit was there in the 2018 IPL auction, but the pacer’s name wasn’t called out.

*All the data provided are before CPL 2019