Top 5 West Indians to have played in the IPL
The Indian Premier League has served as a platform for players from diverse cultures to come together and battle for one ultimate goal, to win the coveted trophy at the end of the season.
While Indian players have constantly emerged and thrilled with standout performances, foreign talents, especially from the land of the Caribbean, have had a massive influence on the game and the league on a whole.
The West Indian cricketers not only add excitement to the game with their funky celebrations but add some spice to the contest with their aggressive brand of cricket. Here are the top five cricketers from the Caribbean lands to have played in the IPL.
#5 Dwayne Smith
The all-rounder has been a constant force at the top of the order for the franchises he has represented while his gentle medium pace has also proved to be effective in times of need.
Smith was part of the Rajasthan Royals roster in 2008 and then shifted to the Deccan Chargers for 2009, 2010 but did not feature in a single match. In 2012, he played for the Rajasthan Royals and scored 157 runs from 7 matches at an average of 39.25 and a good strike rate of 160.20.
The powerful opener continued his good form in 2013, amassing 418 runs from 13 matches at a good average of 32.15 that earned him a lucrative contract with the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the 2014 season.
Smith's form at the top (566 runs from 16 games) lit up CSK's season that saw them clinch the title in his debut season for them which was followed by a moderate season for the dashing opener as he managed to muster just 399 runs from 16 matches.
Following CSK's two year ban, Smith was snapped up by the Gujarat Lions on a two-season deal and thrilled with some exciting starts at the top which decorated the Lions' campaign.