5 Players who have defied age and are playing in the IPL

The Indian Premier League (IPL) rightly boasts of grooming young talent by exposing them to the big stage. Interestingly, what makes this league a big stage is the inherent diversity. Be it the countries the overseas players are from, or their style of batting, their type of bowling, or simply their age- there is room for all. The last feature is a major factor in contributing to the exposure youngsters get, they learn how to go about things with several experienced campaigners to mentor and guide them.

Interestingly, while a team like Kolkata Knight Riders went in with the philosophy of investing on raw, young talent, Chennai Super Kings went in with the belief that age is just a number, building a team with majorly wise, experienced cricketers. Several teams have added a player from that category in their squads, yet it remains to be seen, which formula really reaps success in IPL this year. Here are 5 Players who have defied age and are still playing in the IPL:

1. Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir of South Africa at 38 years is the oldest cricketer in this year’s IPL. The Pakistani-origin cricketer made his debut in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevil in 2014 and continued till 2016. Last season, Tahir moved to now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants.

And, this year, the leggie will be playing in MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. Interestingly, the team itself has some of the oldest players in the league, making it look like 30 years of age was a requisite to make it into the team.

With 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches at an average of 24.46 and an economy of 8.21, Tahir has been in his brief IPL career. Even though he started as late as 34, the spinner has done well to keep the reputation of leg-spinners in T20 cricket intact and is likely to continue to doing so in the limited games he will play.

2. Chris Gayle

Christopher Henry Gayle, also 38 years old, is the second oldest player to play the IPL. Whether it was the age factor, his waning abilities, inconsistency or the combination of all of it, the once King of IPL went unsold for three rounds in the auction. He has scored 3626 runs in 101 matches, with the highest average of 41.2 among all batsmen in the IPL. Gayle also holds the record for most number of sixes hit by a player in the IPL. He also holds the record for the highest individual score of 175 not out.

Gayle made his debut in the first season of IPL in 2008 for Kolkata Knight Riders before switching over to Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011 where he had a much better time than his previous outfit. However, a mediocre season last year meant that RCB let go of him. He was eventually picked up by Kings XI Punjab where he may not be the first choice opener in the playing XI. However, they will play him in some just for the sake of watching a potential Gayle-storm.

3. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh had been with Mumbai Indians since the start of his IPL career in 2008. A decade later, he will be seen playing for Chennai Super Kings, which again, is where you will find the oldest people in the team.

The offie is the third highest wicket-taker in IPL history, with 127 wickets in 136 IPL matches. At an average of 26.65 and an economy of 6.95. While the Mumbai Indians team is known to preserve their “family,” they let Harbhajan go. One of the factors apart from his age, the emergence of more exciting young prospects in the spin department could have been the reason.

However, CSK is not letting all that experience go in vain. Ironically, he is being seen as Ravichandran Ashwin’s replacement.

4. Shane Watson

Where are you most likely to find a 36-year-old? Chennai Super Kings, duh.

At 36 years, Australia’s Shane Watson will be playing for the Chennai-based outfit. Despite two ordinary years at RCB in the last seasons, he was seen as an interesting prospect by the franchise probably because he had a decent Big Bash League outing with the bat.

He was instrumental for Rajasthan Royals in the eight years he played for the side. Watson has played 102 matches in the IPL so far scoring 2622 runs in the IPL at an average of 31.21 and a strike rate of 138.66. The Australian all-rounder also has picked 86 wickets in the IPL. If his BBL batting performances are replicated in the IPL, the CSK will have completely justified their risky, bold move.

5. Brendon McCullum

He may be 36 years old, retired from international cricket, but he still remains the most dangerous among the old cricketers, considering he is more consistent than Gayle who he is replacing in the side. The former New Zealand skipper was a surprise buy from the Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was against this very that he was bought by that he played one of the most memorable IPL knocks ever. The 158-run knock at the Chinnaswamy Stadium came in the very first match in IPL history when he was playing for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Apart from Kolkata, McCullum has also represented the now defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions. McCullum has played 103 matches in the IPL to score 2753 runs at an average of 28.09. He also has two centuries to his name. Moreover, McCullum’s success in Big Bash League and other leagues across the league helps build his case despite the age factor. He may not feature in the initial playing XI for RCB but expect a blitzkrieg or two.