5 Test specialists who failed to impress in the IPL

Test cricket is known to be the purest form of the game. One needs to be technically very sound in order to survive the longest format of the game. On the contrary, when it comes to the T20s, along with technique, there comes innovation. The T20 leagues all across the globe have popularized the shortest format of the game. The pioneer of such leagues was the IPL.

Ever since its inception almost a decade ago, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a top tournament that the players wish to be part of. While some players find it easy to make the switch across formats, there are few who get stuck with their conventional style of play. The IPL has seen a plethora of big names sizzle on the stage.

However, there have been a few players who have failed to live up to the mark in the tournament despite of the big stature they have come in with. These players have been stalwarts of the game and have rightly been named the Test specialists. But when it came to the popular T20 league, they failed to get the same aura as they did in Test matches. Here are 5 Test specialists who failed to impress in the IPL:

1. VVS Laxman – Deccan Chargers, Kochi Tuskers Kerala

VVS Laxman needs no introduction. One of the finest batsmen to have ever played the game of cricket, Laxman will always be remembered for the numerous wins that he has sculpted for team India in Test cricket. His iconic 281 in the Kolkata Test against Australia in 2000-01 series remains afresh in the minds of cricket fans. Add the Mohali Test of 2008 to the list where he batted with the tail to see India win against Australia. The list never ends.

In the 134 Test appearances that he made for team India, he has 8781 runs to his name with an average of 45.97 and 17 centuries. He was the icon player for Hyderabad franchise, Deccan Chargers, in the inaugural edition of the IPL. His team finished last in the points table and performances of Laxman were far from being impressive. He was soon benched from the side.

A couple of seasons later, he turned up for Kochi Tuskers Kerala. He did not impress their either. His IPL numbers are meek and that explains his struggle in the format. In the 20 matches that he played for the two sides, he could score just 282 runs at an average of just 14.84. His strike rate was as low as 105.62, a number that does not boast to be a T20 strike rate.