14 impactful cricketers who feature in various T20 leagues around the world

1.  Chris Gayle

Arguably the king of T20 cricket, Gayle is the most feared batsman in the format. Talk about his awe-inspiring 175 not out in the IPL 2013 or the two Orange Caps (in 2011 and 2012), Gayle has made a mega-impact for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The other T20 teams around the globe were quick to rope in his services and as a result, he has played in South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, England and of course the Caribbean. Gayle has the most runs, most centuries and has hit the most sixes in the format, with an astonishing strike-rate of 149.28. Enough said!

2.  Kieron Pollard

The West Indian all-rounder is a valuable part of any T20 side. With the bat in hand, he has the ability to change the course of a game and can be productive with the ball.  And as a fielder, he is one of the best in the world. Pollard has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians since 2010. He has gone on to play for the Adelaide Strikers, Dhaka Gladiators and the Cape Cobras to name a few. He can rise to the occasion when required — having powered Mumbai Indians to victory in the IPL 2013 with a crucial innings in the final. He has also captained the Barbados Tridents to the title in the CPL 2014. Pollard is only behind Gayle in the list of the most sixes hit in the format.

3.  Azhar Mahmood

Though he is past the age of 40, Mahmood is as good as any youngster in T20 cricket. Having played for 14 teams across the world, he has amassed over 4000 runs and picked over 200 wickets. Recently, he hit a six off the last ball to win a match for Surrey. Pakistan’s loss has been T20’s gain as Mahmood has gone on to become one of the most sought after players in the world. Thanks to his British passport, he has been able to continue playing in the IPL for the Kings XI Punjab and the Kolkata Knight Riders. Speaking about Mahmood, WV Raman, the then Kings XI Punjab Assistant Coach, told this writer in 2013, “Multi-dimensional cricketers are a captain’s dream, even in Test cricket. In a T20 league like the IPL, their presence is priceless. His experience and tremendous all-round abilities make him one of the most exciting players in the side.”

4.  Sunil Narine

When a largely unknown Narine was given a big paycheque by the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2012, the cricketing fraternity was surprised. However, the then unheralded mystery spinner lived up to the billing by bowling them to their maiden IPL title — casting a spell over batsmen with copious turn and variations. Since then, Narine has maintained his mystique despite facing issues with his action in recent times. He helped West Indies win the ICC World T20 2012 and has been an important part of numerous T20 sides around the world. He has made an impact in the CPL too, bowling some miserly spells, which includes a maiden in the Super Over!

5.  Dwayne Bravo

Add a little showmanship to the perfect T20 all-rounder and you get the flamboyance of Dwayne Bravo. Bravo is electric in every sense and his energy is infectious. He has been at the Chennai Super Kings since 2011 and has won an IPL and a Champions League T20 (CLT20). Though he was majorly regarded a batsman who could bowl, the fact that he has won two Purple Caps (in 2013 and 2015) in the IPL stands testament to his ability with the ball. Not only that, but he also pulls off stunners on the field of play. Recently, he has been at the helm at the Red Steel, plotting an amazing revival in the CPL 2015. Bravo’s finishing abilities with the bat have won him laurels and spots in T20 sides in England, South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia. He symbolises T20 cricket in every sense, particularly with his theatrical celebrations.

6.  Kevin Pietersen

The Kevin Pietersen-saga in 2014 snowballed into a huge controversy post the Ashes drubbing and refuses to die down. Meanwhile, he continues to make merry in numerous T20 leagues around the world. Pietersen was in great form during the IPL 2012 for the Delhi Daredevils and was handed the captaincy in 2014 post his England axe. In the BBL, he has entertained crowds with his big hitting exploits and has seamlessly fit into the St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean. He produces the odd big innings and numerous flashy starts, but his mere presence is a huge draw for any side.

7.  Brad Hodge

A true veteran of T20 cricket, Hodge remains one of the leading batsmen in the format largely eclipsed by a certain Chris Gayle. Consider this: Hodge has played T20 cricket for 15 different domestic sides and has amassed over 6000 runs. He is looked upon as an anchor at the top, who can guide the innings and then take charge. However, at the Rajasthan Royals, he was utilised as a finisher — which reflected his flexibility in the format. Hodge brings stability and experience to any T20 side.

8.  Darren Sammy

Largely underestimated in the early part of his career, Sammy’s stocks soared after he led the West Indies to victory at the ICC World T20 2012. He was picked by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013 and delivered some impact performances — picking up crucial wickets with his nagging seamers and then a big role down the order. He has also captained the Zouks in the CPL.

9.  Ross Taylor

The big-hitting New Zealander first made a name in the format in the IPL. Playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Taylor became a rage with the home crowd, who would often chant his name upon his entry into the field of play. Taylor was a part of their formidable side in 2009-10, which saw them win some success. His IPL career has since fallen through as he has been with a new franchise every year since 2011 until he was ignored in 2015. In three seasons in the CPL, he has already represented two teams. Given a chance to settle into a team, Taylor can be a very useful batsman

10.  Lasith Malinga

A ruthless yorker machine, Malinga’s exploits for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL changed his career. Though he was always seen as a dangerous bowler, it was in the IPL that he showed his ability to bowl those toe-crushers consistently. From bowling Mumbai to IPL and CLT20 victories, to leading Sri Lanka to the World T20 title, Malinga is a bonus for any side. With 289 wickets, he is the leader in the format and has played for nine domestic sides. He won the Purple Cap in 2011 and has always been in the hunt for the honour every year. Besides the IPL, Malinga has played the BBL, CPL and the Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL).

11.  Shakib Al Hasan

One of the best all-rounders across formats, Shakib has been one of the catalysts of change in Bangladesh cricket. In many ways, he is their first global cricketer, having played the IPL, BBL, CPL and the English T20 tournament. Shakib has been with Kolkata since 2011 and was crucial to their victories in 2012 and 2014. In the 2012 final, he held his calm in a tense run-chase and took them home at the death. He bowls tight overs of left-arm spin and is a calm finisher in the middle-order. In 2013, he gave further evidence of his prowess when he bowled a magnificent spell of six for six in the CPL for the Barbados Tridents.

12. Tillakaratne Dilshan

In the IPL 2009, Dilshan turned his career around when he discovered the ‘Dilscoop.’ That year, he helped the Delhi Daredevils qualify for the semi-finals and then took Sri Lanka to the World T20 final. Dilshan became an international figure thereafter and has been picked by teams for his aggressive batting at the top. At the Royal Challengers Bangalore, he formed a dangerous opening partnership with Gayle. However, he would often go unnoticed given Gayle’s aggression and penchant for big scores. Dilshan has also played the CPL and the SLPL.

13.  Andre Russell

Andre Russell was always considered a useful all-rounder but began living up to potential only since 2014. He scripted some important knocks for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL 2014 and then went on to win the Player of the Tournament in the IPL this year. Russell has also played in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and in England. Given his recent performances, it would be no surprise if more offers come his way from other leagues. He seems to have matured into a better batsman, which has only added to his utility.

14.  Albie Morkel

Morkel’s first brush with stardom came during his time with the Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2013. A trusted player in MS Dhoni’s setup, he was asked to open the bowling on numerous occasions and then finish games down the batting order. Morkel’s talents were recognised and helped him play in England and the Caribbean. He has over 3000 runs and 200 wickets in the format. In recent times, he hasn’t been the big pick for the franchises, but remains an asset to bank upon. Delhi Daredevils would hope he comes good next year.

Special Mentions

Johan Botha has been a stable, if not spectacular, part of numerous T20 teams around the world. He continues to be employed in different leagues. David Hussey has played in most T20 tournaments around the world but seems to be nearing the twilight of his career. We may only see him in the BBL from here on. Though Daniel Vettori is still playing in the CPL, he has moved into semi-retirement having quit international cricket and taken up a coaching job with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Muttiah Muralitharan (retired in 2014) and Herschelle Gibbs played in different leagues but haven’t graced the field for some time.