Country-wise number of overseas players who have featured in IPL

Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown leaps and bounds ever since its inception back in 2008. The T20 extravaganza has been the biggest harbinger of unity in a diversified social world. The eternal fans spread all across the world are the flag-bearers of the game. It is because of the unconditional support and love received from the cricket fanatics that the cricketing carnival has become a million-dollar tournament.

Due to its impeccable standards, the IPL bags the numero uno spot when compared to the other franchise-based contests taking place in different parts of the world. It goes without saying that cricketers put their best foot forward only to ensure that it is the sport which wins at the end of the day. The 13 years of the tournament’s successful conduction has seen the likes of Jacques Kallis, Brendon McCullum along with Kumar Sangakkara and Matthew Hayden embracing the cash-rich competition with profound pride.

On that note, this article attempts to weigh on the number of players who have participated in various nations. Interestingly, there are few surprises in the list of countries represented by players.

Without any further ado, let’s find out the number of players hailing from different nations:

South Africa – 54

The South African team stormed into the world cricket on the backdrop of apartheid in 1991. Needless to say, the team sent shivers down the opposition’s spine ever since then. From the likes of erstwhile legends Allan Donald, Clive Rice to modern-day greats Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers, the proteas have contributed immensely to the bat and ball game.

Talking about IPL, South Africa have played a crucial role to make the short-format thriller a regular affair in a cricket-freak nation. Scripting heroics for their respective teams, Dale Steyn along with Kagiso Rabada and many others have successfully carried forward the reigns of their predecessors. The veteran batting brilliant AB de Villiers features 6th in the list of Most Run-getters in IPL history mustering 4890 runs at an impressive average of 40.40.

Till now, 54 South Africans have donned the multiple coloured jerseys ever since the inception of world’s most renowned cricket league back in 2008. It speaks volumes about the paramount importance of the high-profile International cricketers in the money-induced cricketing contest.

Australia – 91

The Australian cricket team has etched their name as one of the most dominating team on the 22-yards. Topping the table of World Cup-winning teams, the Men-in-yellow have 5 coveted silverware in their illustrious cabinet. Pumped up with vigour and zeal, the heavyweights tend to break the opposition’s inevitable crack into two folds from the word go.

The presence of Kangaroos cannot go unnoticed as their names roar loudly on the IPL Auction day. The likes of David Hussey, Ricky Ponting Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist were mainstays of different teams back in the days.

Of late, the experienced Steve Smith and David Warner have donned the skipper’s hat for the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. Speaking about their annals, the SRH captain finds his name in the third position in the most run-getters list. He has blistered 5254 runs in 142 matches at an astounding strike rate of 141.41.

Hence, there are massive 91 premier Australian cricketers who have featured in the action-induced sporting event. Notably, it is the highest number of exported players in the IPL.

Pakistan – 11

The Pakistan cricket team has gone from strength to strength ever since it embarked on a journey in the International cricket in 1955. Over the years, the Men-in-green have produced some of the most nerve-wracking cricket prodigies who could dismantle the opposition into pieces. Although the current national team lacks a modern-day stalwart, the camp is filled with promising players who can be effective in the long run.

Talking about the IPL, the first edition of the tournament only fancied the neighbouring players. Signing million-dollar contract with various franchises, the players played their roles to perfection only to scale-up the contest standards. The Pakistani veteran speedster Sohail Tanvir topped the charts as the highest wicket-taker in the first IPL.

He scaled 22 wickets at an economy of 6 in 11 matches. Interestingly, he plied his trade for Rajasthan Royals who landed on the podium defeating Chennai Super Kings in the finale of the inaugural season. There were 11 Pakistani cricketers who participated in 2008. Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal along with Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul made their presence felt in the debut season.

Not to everyone’s surprise, the one-time World Cup winner was banned from taking part in the competition due to political reasons.

New Zealand – 27

New Zealand cricket team has added tooth and muscle to the shortest-format of the game, thanks to their aggressive brand of cricket. The nation leaves no stones unturned when asked to deal with the heated battle between bat and ball. Riding on blistering knocks with the willow, the top-order cherishes to decimate the opposition bowling unit from the word go.

Coming to the IPL, it was the New Zealander Brendon McCullum who embroidered a beautiful design for the IPL canvas in the first match of the debut edition. The swashbuckler plied his trade for Kolkata Knight Riders during the initial days. He essayed a role of an opener only to whack 158 unbeaten against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium. Eventually, he etched his name as one of the best cricketers to don the IPL jersey ever.

Jesse Ryder, Stephen Fleming as well as Scott Styris have tasted the rich cricketing delicacies rendered by the IPL. Till now, as many as 27 Kiwis have managed to ink an exclusive deal with the franchises due to their extraordinary prowess. Of late, the former Sunrisers skipper Kane Williamson and tearaway pacer Trent Boult have become mainstays in the cash-rich league.

England – 33

England cricket team has always taken pride in holding the badge of honour as far as the red-ball cricket is concerned. As the cricketing landscape has changed robustly, the three lions have reacted resiliently to the demands of the time. In 2019, the red outfit led from the front by Eoin Morgan stamped their authority in the limited overs-cricket clinching the World Cup and shattering the stereotype into countless pieces.

Speaking about the T20 extravaganza, England players have received the loudest cheers on the auction day without a shade of doubt. The batting heavyweight Kevin Pieterson was a delight to watch out during his stint with Bangalore-based outfit. In 36 matches, the stalwart mustered 1000-odd runs at a stunning strike rate of 134.72 laced up with 91 electrifying fours and 40 massive sixes.

Currently, the England brute powers Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow have taken the onus for despatching balls to all parts of the cricketing turf. While the former represents Rajasthan Royals, the latter plies his trade for SRH. In 42 matches, Stokes has amassed 900-odd runs whereas Johnny has smashed 720 runs in 21 matches. Interestingly, both the ruthless cricketers have knocked scintillating centuries for their respective teams.

Overall, 33 England-based cricketers have played in the cash-rich cricketing affairs till now. Beaming with joy, the players have made the most of the pomp and show ever since it came into existence.

West Indies – 33

It would be sheer injustice if we talk about the shortest format of the game and ignore the Caribbean carnages. From the shores of the islands, some of the world’s best prodigies donned the hat of responsibility for raising the standards of the game back in the days. However, things are no more the same for the team that once boasted the likes of Sir Vivian Richards and Courtney Walsh.

With the advent of the T20 format, the lethal heavy-arms have become the first choice in any franchise-based cricket all around the world. Unsurprisingly, the West Indies players have ruled the roost in the IPL as well. The Universe Boss Chris Gayle tops the rankings in most runs scored in a single match. Jaw-dropping 175 unbeaten against Pune Warriors India set the tone for his record-breaking career.

Eventually, Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo along with Andre Russell have proved their mettle time and again in the last-over deciders. Resultingly, the Windies camp have become the first choice for franchises bidders. To their credit, 33 cricketers have featured in the high-octane tournament as of now. Moreover, their mere presence on the 22 yards ensures that it is going to be a battle of sixes for the jam-packed stadium.

Sri Lanka – 27

The South Asian cricketing nation has raised the standard of world cricket to an impeccable level. The one-time world cup winners have their own ups and downs as far as their cricketing trajectory is concerned. The island nation has produced some of the greats in the business. Prolific match-winners like Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya and spin-king Muttiah Muralitharan have embraced their national uniform with profound pride.

Speaking about the Sri Lankan contribution to the IPL, they have inked a multi-million contract with swanky franchises. The most celebrated ace-pacer ranks at the top in the list of highest wicket-takers’ list. The unorthodox yorker specialist has picked 170 wickets in 122 matches at a stellar economy of 7.34. Moreover, Jayawardene has scored 1802 runs in 80 outings for various franchises.

Of late, the 32-year-old Isuru Udana has broken into the limelight in the 13^th edition of the IPL. The lanky left-arm pacer plied his trade for Virat Kohli led the team. Eventually, he toppled 8 wickets in 10 matches giving the team a much-needed arsenal in the bowling unit. As of now, 27 Sri Lankan players have graced the IPL pitches.

Bangladesh – 6

The cricket freak nation was always considered as an underdog in the cricketing arena. However, much has changed in the perception of the Bangla tigers now. Roaring loudly in the world cricket presently, it appears that the Bangladesh cricket team is driven with confidence and courage to bounce back ever since they made their debut entry in the quarter-finals of World Cup 2015 after defeating England.

Not many cricketers from this South Asian nation has got an opportunity to take part in the IPL. Besides, the world’s best all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in 50 over format edged past the tough auction battle in 2011 as his name echoed amidst some tough competition. The rest is deemed as history. Upping the ante, the experienced batting all-rounder has represented Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 63 appearances, he has hammered 746 runs and plucked 56 wickets at an economy of 7.46.

Also, the prodigy Mustafizur Rahman took the world by surprise with his natural prowess. The knuckle delivery expert has played 24 matches ripping off as many wickets for Mumbai Indians and Hyderabad-based team. Till now, only 6 players from Bangladesh have secured the chance to play in IPL.

Nepal – 1

The associate member of ICC since 1996 have their own share of struggles to mark their presence in the cricketing fraternity. Although the indigenous rookie Sandeep Lamicchane has put Nepal on the world map with his natural prowess.

The 20-year-old tweaker edged past his compatriots to burst into IPL scenes back in 2018. Delhi Capitals took the gamble and made him a part of the strong-looking contingent.

Hence,the youngster has grabbed 13 wickets in 9 matches. Notably, he is the only player from the land-locked nation who has played in the IPL.

Netherlands – 1

The minimal significant cricket-playing nation has nothing much to boast about as far as their performance in the ICC tournament is concerned. However, the lethal T20 specialist Ryan Ten Doeschate made his name big after his jaw-dropping power-packed rendition in the World Cup.

He scored 119 runs against England, the first ODI century by a Dutch player against a full member of the ICC. The all-rounder was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders as a middle-order pinch-hitter.

He has smashed 326 runs in 26 matches while picking 2 wickets in his five-year (2011-15) stint with the same club. However, he was dropped after his career went downhill in the 8th edition of the tournament.

Afghanistan – 4

The Afghanistan cricket team has a very fascinating tale to tell altogether. Going from strength to strength, the cricket-fanatics in the militant-hit nation chose cricket over violence. Making the game a unifying factor, the likes of Mohammad Shahzad, Rashid Khan along with many others have burnt their midnight oil to compete with International stars all across the world. They have become household names in their country.

Speaking about the cricketing carnival, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi became a prolific match-winner for their respective team. Every club was craving to rope in the two wizards in 2017. However, it was Sunrisers Hyderabad who played tricks and got the spinning duo under their belt.

While the former has bagged 75 crucial wickets in 63 matches whereas the latter has racked 9 wickets in 14 matches till now. As of now, only 4 Afghanistan players have been rewarded with IPL contracts. The other 2 are Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Zahir Khan. Therefore, it goes without saying that plenty of young talent is waiting for their chances in the upcoming years.

Zimbabwe – 3

In the past decade, the African nation has emerged as an ordinary team in the cricketing horizon. Currently, the team is led forward by Hamilton Masakadza who has not managed to change the fate of the national team. Apart from the heavyweight Brendan Taylor and Chamu Chibhabha, nobody is a big-ticket player who can make a cut in the world-class IPL.

Coming to IPL, only the likes of Ray Price, Tatenda Taibo and Brendon Taylor have taken part in the prestigious tournament till now. Taibo was experimented by the purple and gold outfit, Price waned after playing for Mumbai Indians and Brendon was dropped after being bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Therefore, Zimbabwe cricket needs to revamp its cricketing structure to the very core in order to fight against World-class International players.