IPL: 3 international wicket-keepers who couldn’t make it big
When it comes to best international wicket-keepers, three names strike your mind immediately. They are Adam Gilchrist, Kumar Sangakkara, and M.S Dhoni. These players not only set the international stage on fire but were also pretty consistent for their respective IPL franchises.
Adam Gilchrist led Deccan Chargers to its maiden IPL trophy in 2009. Kumara Sangakkara captained Kings XI Punjab, Deccan Chargers, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, which is the most by any international wicket-keeper captain. M.S Dhoni has led Chennai Super Kings to two IPL titles and has the best winning ratio amongst others.
However, not all the wicketkeepers were successful in the IPL. Let us look at 3 International wicket-keepers who couldn’t much taste success in Indian Premier League.
#3 Brad Haddin
Brad Haddin was considered being the best wicket keeper of Australia post the retirement of Adam Gilchrist. He has been a vital cog in the Australian team performing both with the bat and behind the stumps. His athletic wicket-keeping and attacking stroke-play caught the eye of Australian selectors and made him a prominent fixture in the Australian squad. Also, his consistent performances with the bat in the limited overs format fetched him an IPL contract. In 2011 he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for US$325,000.
He made his debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the iconic Eden Gardens. Put into bat first on an overcast afternoon, Brad Haddin opened the innings with Jacques Kallis. Both the openers got the team to a flying start scoring at nearly 10 runs per over. Brad Haddin started off his innings with a six and a four in the 2nd over of Sreenath Arvind. On the last ball of the 4th over, he smashed a boundary of Dilshan taking his personal score to 18.
He got out in the next over of the bowling of left-arm spinner Syed Mohammad trying to loft one over mid-off. Haddin was looking in good touch but unfortunately got out after a short inning of 18 of 11 balls, which included 2 boundaries and 1 Six.
Brad Haddin was on the losing end as Royal Challengers registered a comprehensive win by 9 wickets. Unfortunately, this was the last time the wicket-keeper was seen in an IPL jersey as he was out due to a finger injury and went unsold thereafter. He registered himself in the auctions thereafter but no franchise showed interest in him and hence went unsold in the following seasons.