IPL 2023: Harpreet Singh Bhatia breaks record for longest gap between two IPL matches

Punjab Kings' veteran Indian cricketer Harpreet Singh Bhatia got his name etched into the record books after the 31-year-old was drafted into the playing eleven for the game against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023. This is his first appearance in this year's competition and his first appearance in the competition since 2012, the longest gap for a player between two IPL matches.

Harpreet Singh Bhatia, who represented the Indian team in the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, was roped in by two-time IPL Champions Kolkata Knight Riders in 2010. He then went on to become a part of the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2011. A veteran of the domestic circuit, Harpreet was roped in by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017 after an injury to Sarfaraz Khan but did not make any appearance for the franchise.

Although the 31-year-old cricketer from Chattisgarh has not been given enough chances to showcase his skills in the illustrious competition, he went into the record books after making his debut for Punjab Kings in a game against LSG. His first appearance in the tournament after a hiatus of 3981 days makes him the player with the longest gap between two IPL matches, surpassing Matthew Wade's record of 3962 days.

Veteran South African pacer Wayne Parnell occupies third place in the list of players with the most days between two IPL matches. He made his first appearance in the IPL after a gap of 3242 days for Royal Challengers Bangalore's match against LSG in IPL 2023. His compatriot Rilee Rossouw is in fourth place with 2899 days between his two IPL appearances.

Colin Ingram finds himself in fifth place with a gap of 2862 days between his two IPL matches. Meanwhile, diminutive Indian wicketkeeper-batter Shreevats Goswami boasts of the second-longest gap for an Indian player with 2181 days between his two IPL outings.