The IPL was started in 2008 to allow young and aspiring cricketers to show their talent and compete alongside international players. Over the last 15 years, the league has offered many players the exposure and financial rewards needed to rise to the next level. However, it has not been all luck and success in the IPL, as some players have had very short careers in the competition, playing only a single game before leaving. Here is a special playing XI of those who experienced a particularly brief spell in the IPL.
The Openers
Brad Haddin, former Australian wicketkeeper-batter, will commence the innings along with Indian player Ankit Bawne, who has yet to be capped. Haddin’s only match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2011, where he managed 18 runs off 11 balls. Bawne, on the other hand, has been successful in domestic cricket, but his only appearance in the IPL has come with Delhi Daredevils (now called Delhi Capitals). In 2017, against KKR, he scored 12 runs from 12 deliveries.
The Middle Order
At the heart of the lineup is Darren Bravo, who made his lone IPL appearance for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2017, where he registered six runs. Damien Martyn and Younis Khan, two game stalwarts, were part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), featuring in their twilight years. The former made 19 off 24 balls against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2010, while Khan scored three runs off seven against Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) in 2008. Bangladesh’s Mohammad Ashraful was a part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp in 2009, and his only match saw him getting run out for two off 10 deliveries.
The Bowlers
Bangladesh’s legendary leader, Mashrafe Mortaza, will spearhead the pace bowling attack along with Andre Nel. In his only IPL match for KKR in 2009, Mortaza could not contain the Deccan Chargers, giving away 58 runs from four overs. Australian fast bowler Nathan Rimmington made an impressive start for the Punjab franchise in 2011, playing against the now-defunct Pune Warriors, conceding just 19 runs off three overs, though he never got a chance to play again.
South African pacer Andre Nel made his only IPL appearance in 2008 for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals. He clinched 1/31 in a three-over spell. On the other hand, Bangladesh spin bowler Abdur Razzak, along with Ray Price, will spearhead the team’s spin attack. Razzak was previously seen in RCB colors, taking 0 wickets for 29 runs in two overs against Rajasthan Royals, while Price made an impact for MI in 2011, notching up 0 wickets for 33 runs in his spell against the Kolkata Knight Riders.
