IPL 2020: Three Overseas Players Who've Represented Only IPL Franchise

With the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) suspended until 15 April, fans will have to wait a little longer to witness the thrills that have made it one of the most-watched league around the world.

The problem of Coronavirus may enforce the authorities to suspend the league indefinitely, which would be heartbreak for cricket fans.

However, until the cricketing action returns, we can always look back at the illustrious history of the cash-rich league.

In the IPL, franchises rely heavily on overseas players, as they are expected to make an instant impact. This is the reason why overseas players are bought and sold frequently in the auction between teams.

Having said that though, there are a few players who have been loyal to just one franchise in their entire IPL career.

Here are three overseas players who’ve played for just one team in their entire career:

3) Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard has been a mainstay in the success of Mumbai Indians (MI) down the years. He joined the Nita Ambani owned outfit in 2009 and has been with them ever since. Various auctions came and went by, but both parties remained loyal to each other and it’s fair to say that they have been a winning combination so far.

The 32-year-old West Indies player has a wealth of experience, having played in 148 IPL matches till date. He has scored 2755 runs, with an average of 28.7 and a strike rate of 146.78. And that’s not all, the all-rounder has further picked up 56 wickets for the Indians, with an economy of 8.86.

Pollard is a specialist in T20I cricket, having played the highest number of matches in the format, 501 to be exact. Without a doubt, the West Indies skipper will be raring to lead Mumbai’s title charge, once the IPL 2020 kicks off.

2) Sunil Narine

In the second spot on this list of overseas players is Pollard’s countryman Sunil Narine, who has been a loyal servant for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Narine first lined-up for the Shah Rukh Khan owned outfit in 2013, and in the following eight seasons, helped them win two IPL trophies.

In the 2012 and 2018 seasons, the 31-year-old picked up Man of the Tournament awards for his stellar contributions. In the 110 IPL matches he’s played so far, Narine has 122 wickets to show for it, with an economy of 6.67.

In the past three seasons, the West Indian cricketer has been contributing with the bat as well. Narine has scored 771 runs so far in the cash-rich league, with an average of 17.52 and a blistering strike rate of 168.34, including three fifties.

1) Lasith Malinga

One of the key cogs in Mumbai Indians’ illustrious history in the IPL, Lasith Malinga tops our list of overseas players, as he too, has played for just one team. The Sri Lanka great is renowned for his toe-crunching yorkers, as he is a handy customer with the new ball, and in the death overs as well.

The 36-year-old has played 122 IPL matches in his career so far, having amassed 170 scalps, at an average of 19.80, and an economy rate of 7.14. Malinga has a good track record for the Indians, and he has played a key role in the development of young players around him, such as Jasprit Bumrah.

If the IPL 2020 indeed does get underway, it could very well be the right-arm pacer’s last season, as he slowly approaches the fag end of his career.