5 best New Zealand batsmen in IPL history
Players from New Zealand failed to attract much interest during the 2018 IPL player auctions with only seven players being picked up by the various franchises out of a possible 24.
The biggest surprise was the fact the World's Number 1 T20 bowler as per the ICC rankings, remaining unsold at the end of the two-day auction in Bengaluru.
From the batting perspective, it was the snub to Martin Guptill that generated the headlines but the Kiwi batsmen, on the whole, fared much better than their bowling counterparts.
In hindsight, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as players from New Zealand, barring Brendon McCullum, has failed to deliver on a consistent basis in the IPL. In fact, the former New Zealand skipper is the only Kiwi representative in the Top 50 run-getters in IPL history.
The hard-hitting duo of Colin Munro and Colin de Grandhomme are expected to make an impact in the 2018 edition of the IPL but let's take a look back at the Top 5 batsmen from New Zealand who have lit up the IPL over the first decade since its inception in 2008.
#5 Corey Anderson (Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils)
An extremely talented all-rounder whose career has been blighted by injuries, Corey Anderson started his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians in 2014 and played two seasons for the franchise before being bought by Delhi Daredevils in 2017.
Anderson found no takers at the 2018 IPL auctions but will be playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the upcoming edition after being named as the replacement player for the injured Nathan Courter-Nile.
His most memorable performance with the bat in the IPL came against Rajasthan Royals in his debut season when he scored an unbeaten 95 off 44 balls to help his side qualify for the playoffs with a better run-rate.
He started the 2015 season in a bright manner scoring two half-centuries in just four matches before a finger injury ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign,
The Kiwi was unable to replicate his big-hitting heroics with Delhi in 2017, scoring just 142 runs from 11 matches.
RCB has handed Anderson a lifeline following his late IPL call-up and it will be interesting to see the role he plays in a side that is known for its love for big-hitting players.
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