5 South African stars who failed to shine in the IPL
The inception of the IPL a decade ago has changed the way the globe looks at the game and T20 cricket in particular. The stupendous success of the tournament has been the main reason for other countries to start T20 leagues of their own, keeping the IPL model as their base.
Its impact can be seen in the way the tournament has been received by audience across the globe. It has managed to generate a city-based loyalty amongst fans, something very similar to what happens with the English Premier League (EPL) in football.
This tournament has generated superstars, unknown players have gone on to become millionaires and many of them have gone on to represent their countries at the international level.
The same goes for international stars who get selected to play for an IPL franchise. It gives them the opportunity to display their skills on a different platform, a chance to enhance their reputation even more.
South Africa is one of the countries that has seen a number of its players represent sides in the IPL. They even hosted one season of the IPL, the second season in the year 2009.
So many players like AB De Villiers, Faf Du Plessis, Morne Morkel have gone on to become household names in India, thanks to their performances for their respective franchises. But on the flip side, there have been some South African stars who haven’t lived to expectations.
Here’s looking at 5 such South African stars who failed to shine in the IPL:
Richard Levi
Somebody who was considered as the next 'Herschelle Gibbs', Richard Levi triumphantly announced himself on the world stage with a staggering 117 of 45 balls in a T20I against New Zealand, which is the third fastest T20I hundred.
A lot was expected from this batsman, many felt he would shatter a lot of records and make a spot in the South African T20I and ODI squads on a more permanent basis. Every team needs an enforcer at the top of the order who can put oppositions on the back foot right from the word go, and Levi seemed to be a good fit.
Unfortunately for him, and for cricket viewers across the globe, it was just a momentary spark that died down rather quickly. Levi was picked up Mumbai Indians for a sum of $400,000 for the 2012 season, but the talent was never visible.
Becuase of lack of consistency, Richard Levi lost his place in the South African T20I side and garnered just six appearances for the Mumbai Indians franchise. Post that, he has been playing the Ram Slam T20 league and also in the Natwest Blast in England but hasn't been able to create interest in any franchise to buy him in the last 4-5 years.
Talent must be backed by consistency. For someone who is mainly a T20 specialist, if Richard Levi had been able to convert his talent and get good scores consistently, then probably he might have been in consideration for a return to the tournament.
It is indeed unfortunate as from the glimpses of his batting skill when he was hot property, one would have expected him to create the impact a Chris Gayle has made to the tournament, but that was not to be.