The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a launching pad for several young cricketers, who have gone on to become stars on the international stage. However, not all IPL performers have been able to replicate their success at the highest level. The tournament provides an ideal platform for upcoming cricketers to showcase their skills alongside international players in a world-class competition. This presents them with an opportunity to prove their abilities and match the highest standards of the sport. The IPL’s motto in Sanskrit translates to “Where talent meets opportunity,” highlighting its focus on providing a platform for emerging players to shine.
In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 IPL stars who have failed to make a mark on the international stage despite their success in the IPL. These players have been hyped up as potential superstars but have failed to deliver when it mattered the most. We will examine their IPL performances and their struggles in international cricket to understand why they were unable to translate their IPL success into the international arena.
Top 10 IPL stars who flopped on the international stage
Mohit Sharma
Mohit Sharma, who is currently playing for GT in IPL 2023, made a name for himself during his initial stint with the team in 2013. He was bought for a whopping INR 5 Crore by CSK in the 2023 auction of the cash-rich tournament. Mohit Sharma made a significant impact in the IPL 2013 season, taking 20 wickets and playing a crucial role in Chennai Super Kings’ campaign.
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Sharma’s performances caught the attention of the national selectors, and he was rewarded with a place in the Indian team later that year. In the following season of IPL, Mohit was even more impressive, winning the Purple Cap by taking 23 wickets. He was particularly known for his deceptive slower deliveries that bamboozled many batsmen.
Mohit Sharma made his debut for the Indian team on August 1, 2013, in an ODI against Zimbabwe, and his T20I debut followed in 2014 against Australia. In his international career, Mohit played 26 ODIs, taking 31 wickets at an average of 32.90, and 8 T20Is, picking up 6 wickets at an average of 30.83. Despite being part of the Indian squad for the 2015 World Cup, he failed to make much of an impact in the tournament.
Overall, Mohit’s international career was relatively forgettable, with only a few noteworthy performances to his credit. Mohit Sharma’s inconsistent performances eventually led to his exclusion from the Indian team. Within two years of making his debut, he lost his place in the squad and struggled to make a comeback despite his strong performances in the IPL.
Mandeep Singh
Mandeep Singh, who is currently playing for KKR in IPL 2023, initially gained recognition for his outstanding performances during the 2010 Under-19 World Cup. He subsequently made his first-class debut with Punjab. In 2010, Kolkata Knight Riders acquired him, but he received minimal playing time, facing only 11 balls that season. Kings XI Punjab purchased him the following year, but Mandeep still struggled to secure regular opportunities to play. Nonetheless, he persevered and continued to develop his skills.
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At the age of 21, Mandeep Singh finally had his breakthrough season during IPL 2012. He emerged as the top scorer for Kings XI Punjab, amassing 432 runs across 16 matches. Mandeep’s impressive performance earned him the title of “Rising Star of the Tournament”. As a result, he was selected as one of the 30 probable for the T20 World Cup but unfortunately did not make the final cut. Nonetheless, his performances in IPL 2012 established him as a rising talent in Indian cricket.
Following his impressive performances in domestic cricket, Mandeep Singh was selected for his T20I debut for India in 2016 during their tour of Zimbabwe. He played in three T20I matches, showcasing his batting skills and scoring an aggressive unbeaten 52 off 40 balls in one of them. Overall, Mandeep scored 87 runs in the series but unfortunately was not picked for the national team after that.
Stuart Binny
Stuart Binny was a dependable player for the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the initial years of the IPL, particularly in 2013 when he had a standout season. In that year’s tournament, Binny scored 293 runs in 17 matches with an impressive strike rate of 147.23. He also contributed with the ball, taking 6 wickets at an economy rate of 6.75.
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Stuart Binny’s strong IPL performances led to him being recognized as a valuable all-rounder, and he made his Test and ODI debut for India in 2014, followed by his T20I debut in 2015. Binny’s best performance in international cricket was a six-wicket haul against Bangladesh in a Test match. He also took 14 wickets in 14 ODIs, with an average of 21.95, and scored 205 runs in the format, averaging 28.75.
Despite being given multiple opportunities in international cricket, Stuart Binny struggled to replicate his IPL success at the highest level. He only managed to take 3 wickets in 6 Test matches, while scoring 194 runs. In the T20I format, he scored 35 runs and took just 1 wicket in the 3 matches he played, with an average of 54. Unfortunately, Binny failed to make the most of the opportunities he was given and eventually found himself out of the national team as well.
Abhishek Nayar
In Indian cricket, finding an all-rounder who excels both with the bat and ball is a rare occurrence. This makes players like Hardik Pandya all the more valuable to the team. Pandya’s significance in the current Indian squad is a testament to this fact. He is an excellent all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball, which gives the team more balance and flexibility. Pandya’s presence in the team adds an extra dimension to the Indian side and makes him a crucial player in their lineup.
A similar case happened when Indian cricket fans were hopeful of witnessing some stellar performances from another promising all-rounder, Abhishek Nayar. Hailing from Hyderabad, Nayar made a name for himself in Mumbai’s domestic cricket circuit, where he established himself as a dependable all-rounder.
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Abhishek Nayar was picked up by his home franchise, Mumbai Indians, in the first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In his debut season, Nayar batted in the lower order and scored 161 runs in 14 matches. He also bowled six overs of medium-pace and managed to pick up one wicket. In the following season, Nayar showed improvement in his all-around performance, scoring 193 runs and picking up four wickets.
Abhishek Nayar’s performances in the IPL, coupled with his impressive showings in the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, earned him a place in the national team. He was selected for the West Indies tour in 2009, where he played in his first two ODIs but did not get a chance to bat or bowl. Nayar was then included in the squad for the 2009 Champions Trophy, where he played a single match, remained not out on zero, and conceded 17 runs in his three overs. Unfortunately, Nayar was not given any more opportunities in the national team after that and was not considered for selection.
Albie Morkel
Albie Morkel, the former South African cricket player, was highly regarded for his all-around skills. Known for his ability to hit big shots and take crucial wickets, he played a total of 91 IPL matches for various franchises. However, his most successful stint was with the Chennai Super Kings. During the 2010 IPL season, Morkel set a record for the highest third-wicket partnership with Murali Vijay against the Rajasthan Royals. His contributions to the team’s success during that season were highly valued, and he became a fan favorite for his performances on the field.
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In 2012, Albie Morkel won the Super Sixes tournament by hitting a ball over a distance of 105 meters. Throughout his IPL career, he has maintained an impressive batting average of over 24, with a strike rate of nearly 142, indicating his ability to score runs quickly. Additionally, Morkel has also taken a total of 85 wickets, showcasing his skills as a wicket-taking bowler. His all-around abilities have made him a valuable asset for his various teams, and he continues to be remembered as one of the most versatile players in IPL history.
Despite his success in the IPL, Albie Morkel’s international career was not as prolific. He represented South Africa in one Test match, 58 ODIs, and 50 T20Is, scoring a total of 58, 782, and 572 runs respectively. As a bowler, he took one wicket in Tests, 50 in ODIs, and 26 in T20Is, indicating his ability to contribute in all formats of the game. Morkel made his ODI debut for South Africa in 2004 and played his last international match in 2015. In January 2019, he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing an end to his long and illustrious career.
Saurabh Tiwary
Hailing from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand (formerly Bihar), Manoj Tiwary was frequently compared to the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni due to his left-handed batting style and physical resemblance to the iconic cricketer from his state. Tiwary represented the Indian under-19 team in the 2008 World Cup, showcasing his cricketing abilities at a young age.
Mumbai Indians identified the immense talent of Saurabh Tiwary and signed him as an emerging youngster. The turning point in Tiwary’s career came during the IPL 2010 season when, at the age of 21, he displayed his potential by accumulating an impressive total of 419 runs in just 14 matches. As a result, he was recognized as the Under-23 player of the tournament. Before this, Tiwary had already scored three centuries in the Ranji Trophy, showcasing his batting prowess.
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Saurabh Tiwary’s impressive performance in the IPL paved the way for his inclusion in the Indian squad. In June 2010, he was selected for the Asia Cup and eventually earned his maiden cap for India in an ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam. Despite batting at number seven, Tiwary contributed to the team’s successful chase of a daunting target of 290, scoring 12 not out from 22 deliveries.
Saurabh Tiwary played his next international match against New Zealand in December 2010, where he scored an unbeaten 37 runs. However, he did not get a chance to bat in the following ODI and was subsequently left out of the Indian team. Unfortunately, Tiwary also lost his form in the IPL and injuries further derailed his career.
Chris Lynn
Chris Lynn has been a crucial player for both Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League until he played in the league in 2021. He has played many unforgettable innings for his teams, often single-handedly carrying them to victory. Besides his remarkable batting abilities, Lynn is also known for his exceptional fielding skills, exemplified by his incredible catch to dismiss AB de Villiers a few years back. This catch garnered a lot of attention for Lynn and cemented his status as a gifted all-around player.
Despite his success in the Indian Premier League, Chris Lynn’s transition to international cricket was not as smooth. After being selected for the national team following a stellar IPL season, Lynn struggled to solidify his place in the playing XI. To date, he has played four One Day Internationals and 18 Twenty20 Internationals for Australia, scoring 75 and 291 runs, respectively. Despite having a strike rate of over 130 in T20Is, Lynn’s position in the squad remained uncertain.
Parvinder Awana
Parvinder Awana emerged as a promising right-arm fast bowler for India, capable of consistent bowling at speeds exceeding 140 kmph. He made his first-class debut for Delhi in 2007 and quickly established himself, picking up 40 wickets in his first 12 matches across two seasons. His impressive performances in the 2011-12 season helped him earn a place in the IPL, and he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab.
Parvinder Awana of Kings XI Punjab bowls during match 6 of the the Pepsi Indian Premier League ( IPL) 2013 between The Pune Warriors India and the Kings XI Punjab held at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune on the 7th April 2013
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Parvinder Awana made the most of his opportunity with Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. In the 2012 season, despite not playing in all the matches, he finished as the team’s leading wicket-taker, picking up a total of 17 wickets in just 12 matches while maintaining an economy rate of fewer than eight runs per over. Awana’s impressive performance in the IPL boosted his claims for selection in the Indian team, and he became a contender for a spot on the national side.
Parvinder Awana’s international cricket career was brief, lasting only three days. He played two T20I matches for India against the touring England team, but unfortunately, he had a disappointing outing. Awana conceded a total of 71 runs in the six overs he bowled across the two matches, which ruled him out of the national side. Despite his good performance in the 2013 IPL season, he was not considered for selection again, and his international cricketing career ended abruptly.
Sohail Tanvir
Sohail Tanvir made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 as part of the Rajasthan Royals team. He had a remarkable season, emerging as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. Tanvir played 11 matches and took 22 wickets at an average of 12.09, with an economy rate of 6.46. He also claimed a record-breaking six-wicket haul, conceding only 14 runs, which stood as the best bowling figures in the tournament for a long time. However, in 2019, Alzarri Joseph broke Tanvir’s record by taking six wickets for just 12 runs.
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Sohail Tanvir was a promising left-arm pacer who was expected to do well for Pakistan. He started his career on a high note and showed early promise. However, his form began to dip due to inconsistencies and a lack of focus on the game, which ultimately led to him losing his place on the national team.
Jaydev Unadkat
Jaydev Unadkat went through a lean phase in the 2015 and 2016 editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), failing to take a single wicket in both seasons. However, he bounced back strongly after moving to the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017. Unadkat had a fantastic season, picking up 24 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 7.03. It was his best season in the IPL, and he played a crucial role in Pune’s journey to the final.
India’s Virat Kohli speaks with India’s Jaydev Unadkat during the second T20I cricket match between South Africa and India at Super Sport Park Stadium in Pretoria on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Christiaan Kotze (Photo credit should read CHRISTIAAN KOTZE/AFP via Getty Images)
Jaydev Unadkat’s impressive performances in the 2017 IPL earned him a recall to the Indian T20I team. However, his form did not carry over to the international level as he managed only 10 wickets in six matches with an economy rate of 9.88 in 2018. As a result, he lost his place in the team and has struggled to make a comeback since then. Currently, Unadkat is part of the LSG (Lucknow Super Giants) set up in the 2023 IPL season.
