IPL 10: Team wise players who are playing IPL for the first time

MI: Asela Gunaratne

He had won games for his Team in three consecutive matches and his 84* off 46 one day before the match was perhaps his best performance under pressure. He stole victory out of the second-string. Australian line up so beautifully that it wouldn’t be surprising if he fetched even a Crore. It was unfortunate that only Mumbai Indians were willing to make use of his potential and sealed a cracker of a deal with just 30 lakhs.

There is no doubt that he is in great form at the moment but he is also Sri Lanka’s best man at the moment. He has been a consistent player even for the Sri Lanka Army Club and is a handy allrounder for any side he associates himself with. IPL loves its all-rounders and the MI bidders were well aware of Gunaratne’s contribution in the several last over thrillers SL produced recently.

Ironically, despite Sri Lanka’s trouble with portraying themselves as a side to be feared, they have won two of their recent series as visitors very convincingly and Gunaratne was a major contributor in both. Though Mumbai Indians have good all rounders, they will definitely give him a chance in the XI.