The 16th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) is just around the corner. Over the years, there have been fantastic performances from players who can be classified as IPL legends. New records are bound to be created as another season of IPL begins in the absence of legends who have hung their boots after entertaining the crowd for a decade or more.
Here is a list of seven IPL legends who won’t be seen in action as a player. However, some of them will be with the franchise
Suresh Raina
Mr. IPL aka Suresh Raina made his last IPL appearance in 2021 season. Raina has been a part of Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) four title wins. It was only when CSK were banned for two years, the southpaw played for a different franchise (now-defunct Gujarat Lions). He has scored 5,528 runs from 200 innings at an average of 32.51 including one century and 39 half-centuries. He has an impressive strike rate of 136.73.
Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo is another CSK legend on the list. The Caribbean all-rounder made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians (MI) but later joined Dhoni’s brigade. Bravo made his last IPL appearance in previous season. He has 183 wickets from 161 games at an average of 23.82. He retired as the leading wicket-taker in IPL.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is one of the most entertaining batters to ever play in IPL. Mr 360 has played countless jaw-dropping shot. The only thing missing from his career is an IPL trophy. Former South Africa captain made his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). But he retired as a Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) legend. He has scored 5,162 runs from 170 innings at an average of 39.70 including three centuries and 40 half-centuries. He has a stupendous strike rate of 151.68, the highest among top 20 run-scorers.
Lasith Malinga
Former Sri Lanka great is known for his toe-crushing yorkers. Malinga made his IPL debut in the second season for MI. He retired with a title win in IPL 2019. Malinga is the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. He has 170 wickets from 122 innings at an average of 19.79 including one half-century. He has an economy rate of 7.14 runs per over.
Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle is one of the most ferocious hitters in IPL history. Gayle made his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Gayle played for the Punjab-based franchise as well but he represented RCB the longest. Gayle holds the record for highest score in IPL history. The opener scored 175 not out against now defunct Pune Warriors India. The southpaw has scored 4,965 runs from 141 innings at an average of 39.72 including six centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Harbhajan Singh
The turbanator made his IPL debut for MI. Harbhajan won titles for the Rohit Sharma-led side. Later, he played for CSK followed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The off-spinner has 150 wickets from 163 games at an average of 26.86 including one fifer and an economy rate of 7.07 runs per over. He made his last IPL appearance in 2021 season.
Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa made his debut for MI. He played for as many as six franchises during his IPL career. Uthappa has scored 4,952 runs from 197 innings at an average of 27.51 including 27 half-centuries. He made his last IPL appearance in 2022 for CSK.
Notable exclusions
MI’s legendary all-rounder Kieron Pollard won’t be a part of IPL as a player this time around. Also, MI’s fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit will miss the whole IPL due to back injury.
Chahal, Mishra chasing record
Leg-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Amit Mishra have taken 166 wickets each in their IPL career. They need five more wickets to surpass Malinga and 18 more to dethrone Bravo from the top. Mishra will represent Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) this time around whereas Chahal will play his second season for Rajasthan Royals (RR).
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