Indian Cricketers Who Have Participated In Foreign T20 Leagues

It is a well-known fact that BCCI does not permit the Indian cricketers to partake in foreign T20 leagues. While other cricketing boards freely allow their players to play worldwide, the BCCI has imposed restrictions, especially contracted ones, owing to injury concerns and international commitments throughout the year.

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In recent times, the likes of Robin Uthappa and Wasim Jaffer have urged the Indian Board to allow at least the non-contracted players to feature in competitions other than IPL. And certain Indian cricketers have managed to attain the NOC from the BCCI to participate in the foreign T20 tournaments.

We take a look at four Indian cricketers who participated in foreign T20 tournaments:

Pravin Tambe:

Veteran leg-spinner Pravin Tambe went unsold in the 2018 and 2019 IPL auctions as Sunrisers Hyderabad decided to release him. Pravin Tambe went on to ply his trade in the T10 league in the UAE in 2018, taking eight wickets in four games, including a fifer while featuring for the Sindhis.

While Kolkata Knight Riders secured Tambe’s services ahead of the 2020 IPL season, the BCCI disqualified him. It was because he came out of retirement and played in Mumbai and T10 league without informing them or taking permission. Currently, the 48-year old plays for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, becoming the oldest and the first Indian player in CPL.

Yuvraj Singh:

Yuvraj Singh was arguably one of the greatest Indian all-rounders, who played chief roles in their two World Cup victories. A clean striker of the ball, Yuvraj Singh is also a handy left-arm spinner. The 38-year old quit international cricket in June 2019 and obtained NOC to play in the Global T20 Canada that year.

He featured for the Toronto Nationals alongside the likes of Trent Boult, Moises Henriques, Heinrich Klassen, Kieron Pollard, and many more. Later, the southpaw played in Abu Dhabi T10 league too for the Maratha Arabians. Yuvraj’s outfit won that edition, adding another feather to his achievement.

Manpreet Gony:

Pacer Manpreet Gony came into the limelight with his performances for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2008 IPL edition. He was the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament and the highest for Chennai. Nevertheless, Gony could don the jersey for India in only two ODIs. The 36-year old could not remain consistent and got out of contention.

In June 2019, along with Yuvraj Singh, he retired from Indian cricket too and followed him into the Global T20 Canada. He played for Toronto Nationals, captained by Yuvraj as their team reached the knockouts of the competition. The Punjab-born bowler could only bag two international wickets while playing 61 first-class and 55 List A fixtures.

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Murali Kartik:

Murali Kartik played for India between 2000 to 2007 in 8 Tests and 37 ODIs, earning brief success. Murali Kartik was the first India cricketer to feature in an overseas T20 competition as the left-arm spinner played for Middlesex Crusaders. He took 14 wickets in the tournament in 11 games at 20.14.

The 43-year old also picked up one wicket in the final against Kent, the crucial scalp of Robert Key. It scripted a win for Middlesex by three runs while defending 187. Kartik retired from competitive cricket in 2014, having also played in the IPL. As of now, he works as a commentator.

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