5 T20 superstars who failed to make a mark in IPL

Yuvraj Singh is a phenomenon in Indian cricket. Even after almost five years since he last played in India colours, the ace all-rounder has legions of fans who swear the cricketer had more to offer. And not without reason. Whenever the one-dimensionality of current Indian team players is discussed, Yuvraj’s name arouses nostalgia. The IPL owes much of its current success to the popularity T20s gained in India after the 2007 T20 World Cup triumph, which could be attributed in no small measure to Yuvraj, the most charismatic player of his generation.

IPL, however, has not been able to capture much of Yuvraj’s magic. Marquee player of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the first season, he had all the ingredients to succeed in the biggest cricket league in the world. And occasionally, the 2011 World Cup winner put them on display. With a whirlwind inning, a fielding brilliance, or a game-changing spell, Yuvraj could blind the viewer with his sheer aura, only to disappear like a chimera a moment later. To date, Yuvraj is the only bowler in IPL history to take two hat-tricks in the same season.

Like Aaron Finch, Yuvraj too was a bit of an IPL traveller, playing for six teams in his IPL career, fetching record amounts every time. While the number of teams suggests his below-par performance, the record amounts are a marker of his potential and his star power. Team owners love a crowd-puller like Yuvraj, even though his performances might not be top-notch. Whatever might have been Yuvraj’s fate in the IPL, there is no doubt that Yuvraj will forever be remembered as an enigma, not to mention an all-rounder and match-winner with no equal.