IPL 8: How 11 India veterans have fared thus far in this season

1: Virender Sehwag | Age: 36 | Team: Kings XI Punjab

ViruThe impact that he has had on Indian cricket is unparalleled. Sehwag has been one of India’s greatest cricketers, who redefined the opener’s role, especially in Test cricket. Inconsistent performance over a period of time saw his exit from the national side. He had a decent IPL last year, followed by a good Ranji season, but he hasn’t got going in this year’s IPL. Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) relied heavily on him to fire at the top, but the 36-year old has managed only 99 runs from his eight matches at a dismal average of 12.37 and a strike-rate of close to 118. KXIP, who topped the group stages and ended runners-up in 2014, will end at the bottom of the table this time. Sehwag last played for India in March 2013 and it seems unlikely that he would be getting a call-up soon.

2: Yuvraj Singh | Age: 33 | Team: Delhi Daredevils

YuviYuvraj’s exclusion from India’s World Cup 2015 side created a lot of furore as fans believed the World Cup 2011 man-of-the-tournament still has a lot to deliver to Indian cricket. Despite not being in national selection contention, Yuvraj was bought for a whopping Rs 16 crores by Delhi Daredevils in the February auctions this year. He has managed only 237 runs from his 12 outings at 19.75 and a strike-rate of 116.7. He has also bowled only nine overs, going at a rate of eight and just managed a solitary wicket. Yuvraj’s off-form has hurt DD, who are set to end the tournament second to last. Yuvraj hasn’t played for India after the World Twenty20 final at Dhaka last year, and this year’s IPL was a good platform for him to stage a comeback. He may still have a few years left with him, but at the moment, he hasn’t done enough to earn a recall.

3: Gautam Gambhir | Age: 33 | Team: Kolkata Knight Riders

gautiGambhir has been one of the reasons for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) phenomenal success in the recent years. He hasn’t just scored runs, but also led from the front. This year too, he has led the side well and has played quite a few crucial knocks. He started the tournament well, but hasn’t been consistent enough. He has scored 288 runs from 11 outings at an average of 26.3 and a strike-rate of just over 117. But Gambhir looks assured during his stay at the crease and post IPL; he will surely press for a national berth. Gambhir played the last two Tests in England last year without much success but with India, not having done very well overseas, he will surely be among the names that selectors discuss.

4: Zaheer Khan | Age: 36 | Team: Delhi Daredevils

Zaheer KhanIf fitness wasn’t an issue, Zaheer is still India’s best seam bowler who has the ability to make the ball talk. Zaheer missed the first half of the tournament due to injury, but DD’s bowling attack received a major boost with his return to the side. In six games, Zaheer has picked up seven wickets at an average of 22.3 and an impressive economy rate of 6.5. He has mentored the DD bowlers well. Zaheer last played for India in the Wellington Test last year and a national recall still looks unlikely considering his fitness issues. But as a mentor or bowling coach, he is capable of doing wonders to the national side.

5: Harbhajan Singh | Age: 34 | Team: Mumbai Indians

HarbhajanHarbhajan continues to be an important member of the Mumbai outfit. Though he hasn’t been as consistent as he would have liked to but he has delivered some match-winning performances, both with the bat and ball. He has 12 wickets from 11 games at an average of 28.1 and an economy-rate of eight. With the bat, he played one of the most sensational Twenty20 (T20) knocks when he scored 64 against KXIP at Wankhede Stadium, earlier this season. In process, he brought up the fastest IPL fifty this season, from just 19-balls. Harbhajan hasn’t played a One-Day International (ODI) in four years and his last Test appearance was in March 2013. With Ravichandran Ashwin doing a good job, it’s unlikely that Harbhajan will make a return soon but he will look to keep pushing the former to regain the slot that was once his.

6: Ashish Nehra | Age: 36 | Team: Chennai Super Kings

Ashish NehraThis year’s IPL has been a sort of renaissance for Nehra. Having made his international debut way back in 1999, Nehra has been in and out of the national side and more than form, it’s injuries that have hampered his progress. Not looking back, Nehra bowled CSK to many memorable wins this season and till a few days back, he wore the Purple Cap. He hasn’t been at his best in the last few games, but with 17 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 19.7 an economy-rate of 7.1, Nehra has been one of the best bowlers in the tournament.

Nehra’s last appearance for India was in World Cup 2011 semi-final, where he bowled a brilliant spell against Pakistan. With fitness worries and age in the wrong side, Nehra may not earn a call-up for the Test or ODI side, but could still be called to play for the country in the T20 format.

7: Yusuf Pathan | Age: 32 | Team: Kolkata Knight Riders

YusufYusuf has shown a rare maturity this season and tops the batting average charts for KKR. Known for his big hitting and also throwing away his wicket, Yusuf this season has shown unseen calmness and played according to the situations and shifted gears only when needed. Defending champions KKR, who are no.2 in the points table, have benefitted from his approach. He has scored 216 runs from 10 innings, at an average of 43.2 and despite his indifferent approach; he has maintained a strike rate of 135.8. He also picked up two wickets with his off-spin. Yusuf’s last appearance for India was in March 2012 and with a young crop of batting talent in sight, it’s uncertain if he would be looked back at but if he keeps performing consistently, he’s a talent tough to ignore.

8: Amit Mishra | Age: 32 | Team: Delhi Daredevils

Amit MishraOver the years, Mishra has built a strong reputation for himself in the IPL. However, this year he hasn’t been at his best and for the major part of the tournament he has been overshadowed by his co-leggie Imran Tahir. Mishra has just nine wickets from 12 games, at an average of over 34 and has given runs at 7.7 an over. Mishra last played for India in October last year and still features in selectors’ plans. Having made his international debut way back in 2003, Mishra is one of the most experienced heads around.

9: Ashok Dinda | Age: 31 | Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore

Ashok DindaDinda hasn’t played a single match for RCB this season and with the likes of Harshal Patel, Abu Nechim and Varun Aaron getting the preference; it seems the team management doesn’t have much faith in the Bengal veteran. Bengal bowlers Mohammed Shami and Veer Pratap Singh have acknowledged Dinda’s role in their improved performances so in a way it’s enriching to have someone of his experience in the dressing room. Dinda has last played for India in January 2013 and has little chance to make a comeback.

10: Subramaniam Badrinath | Age: 34 | Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore

Subramaniam BadrinathBradrinath has toiled hard in domestic cricket and has been one of the most prolific run-getters. He was destined to play for India, but unfortunately his peak coincided with a time when Indian middle-order was stronger than ever. For many years, he toiled manfully for CSK; either consolidating when they were off to a poor start or coming in at the death overs and slogging. However, he hasn’t managed to break through the strong RCB batting and hasn’t played a single game. His last international appearance for India was in June 2011 and it’s highly unlikely that he features in selectors’ plans for the future.

11: Laxmi Ratan Shukla | Age: 34 | Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad

LR shuklaShukla had to pull out of the IPL at the last moment due to illness. He would have been quite handy for the Sunrisers side. The Bengal all-rounder was a teenage prodigy, who broke into the national side as a 17-year old in 1999. In fact, he has last played for India in September 1999. He has been a consistent performer at the domestic level over the years but his international career is as good as over with the younger likes of Stuart Binny and Rishi Dhawan, vying for the seam bowling all-rounder’s spot.