The Indian Premier League has become a much-anticipated event for fans as cricketers alike for the quality of cricket and the platform that it provides. Over the years, we have seen a number of players gain cult status after their head-turning showings in the T20 extravaganza. However, not all cricketers who have left a mark in the league are regarded as superstars, with most not featuring in the all-time best performers’ list.
We look at a few unheralded players from the last twelve editions of the IPL – players who might not have attracted big bids, but did their jobs silently and effectively.
Dirk Nannes
The Australian cricketer who played for The Netherlands later in his career took the second season of the IPL by storm, emerging as the leader of the attack for Delhi Daredevils. Such was his impact and his effectiveness that the franchise was forced to bench legendary Glenn McGrath as Nannes took the field in the tournament that was held in South Africa. The pacer picked up 15 wickets in his first season in 2009 at an average of below 25 and an economy rate of an impressive 7.51. Aided by the swing movement in South Africa, Nannes made an impact straightaway in the edition, but was unable to repeat his performances in the successive seasons, picking up 7, 2 and 4 wickets in 2010, 2011 and 2013 respectively.
Paul Valthaty
Mumbai player Paul Valthaty made a name for himself in 2011 when he smashed 120 runs while playing for Kings XI Punjab against Chennai Super Kings – the highest ever score notched up by an individual that season. The player had been a part of the Indian Under-19 World Cup team in 2002 but an eye injury halted his career. Valthaty resurfaced in 2009 when he was picked up by IPL team Rajasthan Royals and played a couple of games. He was picked in Mumbai’s domestic T20 side following the IPL, but failed to create much of an impact.
His greatest moment, however, came in 2011 when he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab, and he repaid the faith shown to him by making 463 runs in 14 innings with an impressive strike rate of 136.98. That was the only season that Valthaty shone in, as he failed to get going in the next two seasons, scoring 30 and 6 runs respectively.
Swapnil Asnodkar
Asnodkar was picked up by Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural season of the IPL, and played a huge role in their unexpected march to the crown. The Goa player, in his very first game in the tournament, impressed by scoring 60 runs off just 34 deliveries against Kolkata Knight Riders. He ended with 311 runs in nine innings with a strike rate of 133.47 and an average of 34.55. His returns earned him the nickname of ‘Pocket Dynamite’, and he became an integral member in Shane Warne’s underrated side.
However, he turned out into a one-season wonder as he scored just 98 runs in the following edition, with the bouncier pitches of South Africa getting the better of him. He did keep churning runs for Goa till 2017-18, but it failed to get him a contract in the IPL again.
Ryan ten Doeschate
The Netherlands player made a name for himself while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. He was a member of the team for five years and made significant contributions whenever he was given the chance. In his first season in 2011, Doeschate, after a slow start, rose to the occasion in the Eliminator, scoring 70 runs from just 49 balls against Mumbai Indians. He also made valuable contributions in 2014 and in 2015, and overall scored 326 runs in his IPL career in 29 games with a strike rate of an impressive 138.72. ‘Tendo’, as he is often called, pitched in with the ball as well. He was, however, released after IPL 2015, and has found no takers in the tournament since then. He currently plays for Essex in county cricket.
Manpreet Gony
One of the few players who earned a call-up to the national team on the basis of his performance in the IPL, Gony shone in the first season of the tournament as he picked up 17 wickets. What followed was a call-up to the India A side, and he was called up to play for the senior team after an injury to S Sreesanth. Gony made his debut for India in the tri-series against Bangladesh, but failed to create a mark, picking up two wickets in as many games. He did not play for the Men in Blue again.
Gony did play the next five seasons of the IPL as well, but was not a regular member of the playing XI. After four years, he was picked up by Gujarat Lions in 2017 to bring his IPL career back on track, but played just one game. He announced his retirement from domestic cricket last year, and played in the Global T20 Canada League for Toronto Nationals.