5 Indian cricket stars who have played in foreign leagues

It all started from the GT20 Canada back in July 2019.

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Irfan Pathan
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Irfan Pathan. (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan. (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

With the advent of the T20 extravaganza in the cricketing arena, the sporting landscape has changed upside down. The cash-rich tournament has become the latest fad in front of the eyes of the eternal fans of the sport. As the corporates have walked down the red carpet, cricket has apparently been infected with exclusive wealth like never before.

From India, Australia, South Africa to Pakistan along with Bangladesh and recently Sri Lanka, every cricket-freak nation has embraced the money-induced leagues much to the delight of the fans. Therefore, the sporting pomp and show cannot achieve success without the presence of cricketing heavyweights. The professionals in the business are required to showcase their A-game in every match so that they remain glamourous in the eyes of the franchise owners.

On that note, this article attempts to stress the top 5 Indian cricketers who have donned the jerseys of foreign leagues till now. Interestingly, the Indian cricket board BCCI does not entertain giving a NOC (No Objection Certificate) to Indian players who are featuring in the national team.

Hence, the players are given a green signal only when they have called it a day from their international career. In the last one and half years or so, a number of players have gone on to represent foreign leagues

Here are the 5 Indian cricket stars who have played in foreign leagues:

1. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The Punjab-based cricketer is one of the finest willow-wielders during his tenure. Yuvraj Singh stormed into the national side in 2000 on the back of brilliant runs in domestic cricket. The left-hander boasts of electrifying shots under his sleeves. He became a national reckoning after his rock-solid 121-stand with Mohammad Kaif against the Three lions Ln the NatWest Finals.

Eventually, India under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly registered a thumping victory that brought glory and pride to Indian cricket. In 40 Tests, the batting all-rounder amassed 1900 runs at the average of 33.93. Talking about the IPL, he has smashed 1177 runs in 58 matches at a stunning strike rate of 136 much to his credit.

Also, the swashbuckler has tasted his bowling skills plenty of times. Till now, he has plucked 36 crucial breakthroughs at an economy of 7.44. Therefore, his batting suaveness and cricketing wits have made him a prime contender in foreign leagues as well. Notable, he retired from international cricket in 2019 which opened his doors to extravagant T20 leagues stretching across the oceans.

Yuvraj became a part of the Global T20 League in Canada as well as the Abu Dhabi T10 League last year. It will be exciting to see whether the 38-year-old manages to bag hefty deals with other franchises in the upcoming days or not.

2. Munaf Patel

Munaf Patel
Munaf Patel of India. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

Munaf Patel’s life has a different tale to tell altogether. From rags to riches, the Gujarat-born lad is an epitome of hard work and perseverance without attaching oneself to results. He busted into the national scenes after his rigorous performance with the ball in the domestic circuit. in an injury-ridden cricketing career, he achieved his high when he debuted for India against England in 2006.

The lanky superstar has featured in 70 ODIs grabbing 86 wickets at an economy of 4.95. Talking about his stint in IPL, the right-arm quick has scalped 74 wickets playing for Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians along with Gujarat Lions.

Eventually, his name continues to roar in the auction table of different league cricket all across the world. His extra pace and swing earned him an exorbitant deal with Kandy Tuskers in Lanka Premier League in its first edition.

3. Pravin Tambe

Pravin Tambe
Pravin Tambe. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

The Mumbai-based cricketer Pravin Tambe is the only player who has rarely played in the domestic circuit but went on to bag an IPL contract, thanks to his good statistics in the club cricket circuit. India’s most under-rated spin-king remains uncapped despite proving his potential several times in IPL. The veteran talisman made his debut in the IPL at the age of 41. His spinning prowess has secured him enough praises and laurels from the fans.

As far as IPL is concerned, Rajasthan Royals bought him in the 6th edition wherein he gave rich dividends to the team. Till now the tweaker has scalped 28 heads in 33 matches, 15 of which came in 2014, when he played for the Pink Army. Moreover, he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in the 13th edition of the IPL.

However, the 49-year-old was declared ‘ineligible’ later. He was denied owing to his participation in the Abu Dhabi T10 League last year without informing the BCCI top brass. Notably, the veteran professional donned the jersey for the Sindhis in the hundred ball battle.

4. Sudeep Tyagi

Sudeep Tyagi
Sudeep Tyagi. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Sudeep Tyagi is amongst the promising quick bowlers who played for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. The speedster lived his dream when he was handed the Indian cap against mighty Australia in 2009. The short career saw him featuring in 4 ODIS and 1 T20I. Sudeep could only bag 3 wickets in his international career before he was dropped from national duty.

Although he went on to play in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. In 14 matches, the 33-year-old collected 6 wickets which turned out to be the reason for his exit from the team as well. Eventually, the pacer brought down curtains to his not-so-illustrious career on November 2020 only to feature in the Lanka Premier League.

The lanky star can be seen stepping into the field for Dambulla Viiking in the inaugural edition of the delayed edition of the Lanka Premier League.

5. Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan. (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The premier Indian cricketer belongs to a rare breed of all-rounders who scintillated both as an opener and a fast bowler. Irfan Pathan has immense skills written all over his name. His hat-trick against Pakistan in the first over of a Test match has gone down the annals of the Indian cricketing folklore. The Indian mainstay was a crucial player in India’s triumph in the inaugural T20 World Cup back in 2007.

Looking at his career from the prism of statistics, Irfan has found his name in the playing XI in 120 ODIs and 29 Test matches. Hammering 3000 odd runs in his international career along with 300 wickets with the leather makes him unparalleled and unmatched.

After playing in IPL for over a decade, Irfan hung his boots from his international career earlier in the year. The Baroda-based cricketer recently tuned his prowess as a vital cog of Kandy Tuskers in the Lanka Premier League.

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