5 Players who played one IPL game and faded away

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has arguably grown in statute ever since its inception back in 2008. The competitiveness, etched to the tournament has remained unmatched and it has produced some riveting encounters over the years.

It has also caught the eyes of a number of cricketers, who has expressed their desire to play in the event and exhibit their skills and talent to the entire world. Every year, auctions take place and the registered players wait in anticipation, hoping to find a buyer.

Even as some do get lucrative deals, a few have to return empty-handed. In the meantime, luck also refused to smile on a handful of players, who failed to make it big even after bagging the contracts. In fact, they didn’t even get a second chance and was sidelined after an off-day.

In the article, let’s take a look at five players, who faded away after one IPL game: –

1. Rasikh Salam

Rasikh Salam, the Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler, was picked to play for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2019 edition of the IPL. The speedster was set to rub shoulders with the likes of Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah, two of the team’s prominent speedsters.

The 19-year-old got a chance in MI’s very first game itself against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. But the Young Turk ended up having a torrid time. The pacer leaked 42 runs in his four overs without making a breakthrough.

To add insult to injury, he bowled a couple of no-balls, giving the Capitals’ batters free-hits. Salam didn’t get a chance top play thereafter. Piling on his grief, BCCI suspended him for two years in June after he gave faulty birth certificate to the world’s richest cricket board.

2. Akila Dananjaya

Akila Dananjaya ripped apart the Indian batting in one of the ODIs in Sri Lanka. It got the spinner an IPL contract after being bought by the Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 50 lakhs. Like Salam, even Dananjaya made his debut against the Delhi Capitals, then Daredevils, in the 2018 edition of the T20 tournament.

The tweaker ended up having a torrid time in that game at the Wankhede Stadium. In four overs, Akila gave away 47 runs as the Delhi team won by seven wickets off the last delivery. The likes of Jason Roy and Rishabh Pant gave him an absolute hiding.

It has thus far been Dananjaya’s only match in the IPL. Also, the 26-year-old has had to face issues with his bowling action. In September, he was banned from bowling in international cricket due to suspect action.

3. Mashrafe Mortaza

Mashrafe Mortaza emerged as an inspiration leader for Bangladesh. After guiding them to several laurels, the fast bowler, got his first break in the IPL, playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) back in 2009. However, his career in the T20 league was cut short after a solitary game where Rohit Sharma laid into him.

Mashrafe’s only encounter was against the Deccan Chargers in Johannesburg. In that game at the Wanderers, Mortaza conceded as many as 58 runs in his four overs. With the Knights needing to defend 21 in the last over, the Narail Express was given the chance to bowl.

He started the over with a no-ball that went to the boundary and gave 26 runs. Though he couldn’t continue his IPL journey, Mashrafe brought in self-belief for the Tigers at the international level.

4. Darren Bravo

Darren Bravo, the stylish West Indies left-hander, was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2017 edition of the IPL. It was in the game against the Rising Pune Supergiant when the southpaw made his debut for the Men in Gold and Purple.

But Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa’s 158-run stand made sure that Bravo didn’t have much to. He came to bat with Kolkata needing five runs. He crunched Shardul Thakur for a boundary through the cover region and brought the curtains down on the match.

It remains a surprise as to why Bravo didn’t get to play a single match from there on. He has been a part of the IPL auction, but hasn’t gotten a buyer. Bravo has been an integral part of the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), which is also owned by Shah Rukh Khan in the CPL.

5. Ray Price

Ray Price was one of the most effective spinners for Zimbabwe during his playing days. He was accurate and was hard to pounce on. The left-arm spinner got a chance to play for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2011 edition of the IPL.

He made his debut for the team in the game against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Unfortunately, he ended up having a tough time. In three overs, Price leaked 33 runs without getting a wicket. It turned out to be the bowler’s only IPL match in his career.

Nevertheless, his numbers in international cricket isn’t meek. He made his debut way in 1999 against Sri Lanka at the Harare Sports Club. His career spanned 14 years until March 2013. In 22 Tests, 102 ODIs and 15 T20Is, Price picked up 80, 100 and 13 scalps respectively.