5 IPL stars who have struggled in international cricket
Cricketers enjoy a luxury many sportsmen don’t in that they have multiple platforms in which to succeed. Limited overs cricket first greeted the long-standing two-innings arrangement in the 1960s while Twenty20 joined the party in 2003. Five years after that the Indian Premier League brainchild came into existence and from thereon it has become commonplace for players – starry-eyed by the mighty financial offerings – to tailor their games to suit a certain match type.That qualifications can differ so greatly for various formats has been illustrated no better than by Yuvraj Singh. The Punjabi powerhouse appears to be a fading light on the international circuit – he wasn’t even included in the 30-man list of probables for India’s 2015 World Cup squad. Yet at the most recent IPL auction in February, for the second year running he was the most expensive purchase, with Delhi Daredevils shelling out an eye-watering Rs. 16 crore for the left-hander.Not all have been as fortunate as Yuvraj though, in that he has enjoyed many glittering days in an India shirt. On that note, here are five names who have sparkled in IPL colours but struggled when challenged to represent their country.
#1 Kieron Pollard
A tall, brutal Trinidadian, Kieron Pollard shot to fame in the 2009 Champions League T20 – blitzing an unbeaten 54 off 18 to defeat New South Wales. His impact there ensured he would become a vital component of Mumbai Indians, the IPL franchise he has competed exclusively for since he was initially scooped in the 2010 auction. But despite being one of the tournament’s biggest names, he is not a major force for West Indies.
A game-changer for Mumbai, Pollard’s effectiveness with bat and ball – as well as in the field – makes him feared by the opposition, but in internationals, that effectiveness is displayed in lesser quantities. While his bowling efforts for both have been similar, is 27 batting average in IPL is reduced by five for West Indies. In the lengthier ODIs, he concedes almost 40 runs per wicket, and holds an average of only 25 a time batting. In a West Indies career that has spanned eight years, he is also yet to play Test cricket.
More suited to the batting-friendly pitches in India, Pollard has in the past demonstrated clumsiness against good spin and nerves when posed with threatening fast bowling – especially when pitched short. He thrives when the ball does little and is in his hitting zone, but struggles when faced with more versatility. Perhaps that explains why the 27-year-old hasn’t so far dominated at the sport’s pinnacle.