Over the years, the Indian Premier League has become one of the biggest tournaments around the world. However, the biggest misconception behind the league is that it is meant for only the youngsters. But ever since its inceptions, there have been many cricketers who have given exceptional performances after taking retirement from the game and have went on to become the superstars of this game.
Here, in this article, we bring you a list of 5 cricketers who retired from international cricket but played exceptionally well in IPL. Have a look:
1. Adam Gilchrist:
Adam Gilchrist, the dashing left-handed wicket-keeper is always remembered for his explosive batting in international cricket. He is one player whose magic with the bat and behind the stumps continued even after his retirement.
Adam made his debut in the Indian Premier League in the year 2008 for Deccan Chargers. During the 2008 edition of IPL, he made headlines for his exceptional performances, where he smashed 10 sixes in an innings. In this particular innings, Adam Gilchrist scored a ton off 42-ball savagery, making the mockery of Mumbai Indians’ target of 155. Later in the year 2011, Adam Gilchrist switched to Kings XI Punjab and played till 2013.
During his IPL career, Gilchrist scored 2069 runs in 80 matches he amassed 2069 runs in 80 matches at an average of 27.22 and strike-rate of 138.39.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan:
Sri Lanka’s legendary player Muttiah is regarded as the most successful bowler in international. Muttiah Muralitharan decided to end his international career in the year 2011, however, he continued to play for IPL in the year 2014.
During his IPL career, Muttiah played for Chennai Super Kings and Kochi Tuskers Kerala before retirement. Later after his retirement, he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he took just 2 wickets in 5 matches while in the next edition of the tournament, he took 15 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 17.
3. Shane Watson:
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has been playing continuously ever since the first season of the Indian Premier League. It was in the year 2016 when Shane Watson bid goodbye to the international cricket, however, even after this, his performance in the IPL has not diminished. Shane Watson is currently a part of Chennai Super Kings and played an important role in making the team champion during IPL 2018.
4. Michael Hussey:
Mr. Cricket or Michael Hussey bid goodbye to international cricket in the year 2012. However, during the very next season of the Indian Premier League, he became the highest run-scorer in the IPL. During the 2013 edition of IPL, he scored 733 runs in 17 matches in the year 2013 IPL, with the help of 7 fifties and won the Orange Cap. During his IPL career, Michael Hussey scored 1977 runs in the IPL at an average of 38.76 and a strike rate of 122.64.
5. Sourav Ganguly:
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly is regarded as one of the best skippers of team India. Sourav Ganguly retired from international cricket in the year 2008. Sourav Ganguly didn’t play any T20 matches in his international career but he played a few matches in the Indian Premier League. He scored 1349 runs at an average of 25.45 in 59 matches he played during IPL.
