India's Five Forgotten Indian Premier League Heroes

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the perfect platform for all the youngsters – to show their skills sets. Some players were able to impress with their talent while some were not and this has been literally the fairy tale of such a burgeoning tournament which simultenously sprung suprises in one way or another from time-to-time.

The Indian domestic professional Twenty20 league has completed more than 10 years. Due to its success over the years, it is regarded as the best tournament in the cricketing world.

Meanwhile, there were some players who made it to the big stage but later faded away.

So much so, these players were instrumental in the success of their respective franchises.

Well, let’s take a look at the five forgotten Indian Premier League heroes;

These were some fine professionals to be introduced during the short-paced competition.

5. Swapnil Asnodkar:

The Goa-based player Swapnil Asnodkar represented Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural season (2008) of the IPL. He scored 311 runs in the maiden edition. Thus. he was instrumental in making Royals the first time champions of the tournament.

But unfortunately, Swapnil could only keep his form going in the next season as he managed only 112 runs in his 11 outings.

The right-handed batsman Asnodkar played a total of 20 IPL matches in which he accumulated 423 runs at an average of 21.15. He played his last IPL match against Kings XI Punjab in the 2011 season.

The promising batsman could not make it to the Indian national team and faded away due to a continuous run of poor form.

4. Paul Valthaty:

Paul Valthaty made his debut in the second edition of the IPL in 2009. However, he announced his arrival on the big stage in the 2011 edition.

Adamant in approach, Valthaty scored a mammoth 463 runs in the fourth season of the IPL for the Mohali-based outfit.

But due to injury, he could not keep his dream form going in the tournament.

The right-handed batter amassed 505 runs in the 23 IPL matches at an average of 22.95. Valthaty also scored a century in the tourney as his blistering knock of 120 off just 63 balls helped KXIP defeat now two-time champions Chennai Super Kings.

Valthaty went on to play his last IPL match in the 2013 edition.

3. Manvinder Bisla:

Manvinder Bisla is well known for his blistering knock of 89 off just 48 balls during the grand finale of 2012 edition. The Kolkata-based franchise was chasing a stiff target of 191 against Chennai Super Kings. But Bisla made things quite easy for his team.

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The right-handed batsman Bisla’s special knock had helped Knight Riders to clinch maiden IPL title.

Bisla was also awarded the Man of the Match award for his match-winning knock.

The wicketkeeper-batsman played a total of 39 matches in which he gathered 798 runs at an average of 21.

The batsman later faded as his form dipped in the next season.

2. Joginder Sharma:

Joginder Sharma is famous for bowling the final over in the inaugural 2007 Twenty20 International World Cup final against Pakistan. After coming into the limelight, Joginder was roped in by Chennai.

The all-rounder scalped 12 wickets in the 16 matches he played and scored only 36 runs in the six innings.

Joginder met with an accident in 2011 and thus could not continue his cricketing career. He is currently serving Haryana Police as a DSP.

1. Kamran Khan:

Kamran Khan had to come out of a lot of hardships to play cricket. He had a poor family background and belonged to Uttar Pradesh. His father used to make ends meet by cutting wood.

The left-handed pacer Kamran played nine matches for the Rajasthan Royals.

The highly-impressive bowler was able to claim wickets at will during his short Indian Premier League journey.

Kamran didn’t play any first-class form of cricket but still was given the opportunity. However, his career was halted when he was reported for a suspected action.

Also, read: Mumbai T20 League: Former IPL Star Paul Valthaty Sold To Mumbai South Central For Rs 50,000