IPL 2018: 5 oldest players to have played in the tournament
"Where talent meets opportunity"
Over ten seasons, six different champions and numerous headlining matches, the best selling point of the Indian Premier League still remains to be the incredible platform that it provides for cricketing talent that births not only in India but across the world.
However, the general perception of the above statement is that the tournament is an excellent launchpad for young batsmen, bowlers, and all-rounders. However, the IPL does not discriminate talent in terms of its age.
There have been many domestic and international cricketers who have taken to the field in the Indian Premier League over the last decade. Some of them were established international cricketers, while others came from nothing to make a permanent mark in the history of the tournament.
Let us look at five cricketers who defied age and created history with their participation in the on-field action of the IPL:
#5 Adam Gilchrist - 41 years old
Adam Gilchrist, who is one of the most venerated and adored Australian cricketers across the globe, has his set of admirers in India as well. One of the most explosive batsmen of his time, the left-hander was known for the impeccable timing and power on his shots.
After finishing at the bottom of the table with the Deccan Chargers in the first edition of the IPL, the opening batsman scripted an inspired comeback for the side from Hyderabad in the very next season. He lead them to the trophy in IPL 2009 and did so with some terrific on-field decisions as the captain, combined with a number of exceptional performances from his own willow.
He was later picked up by the Kings XI Punjab, a team he ended his IPL career with. He played his last game of the league against Mumbai Indians and ended on a high with a victory against the three-time champions.
His last match was made memorable by the fact that the then 41-year-old decided to roll his arm in the final over of the innings, where the match was already out of grasp for MI. He dismissed Harbhajan Singh on his very first delivery, and the celebration that followed from the skipper was not only heartwarming but also one of the most special moments in the history of the IPL.