The talent pool available makes Indian Premier League (IPL) the best of its kind in the world. But the cap on overseas representation – only four can play – in a bid to unearth more Indian talent means many foreigners miss out on game time. So what if they are players who influence games in other franchisee leagues.
Mid way through IPL 2023, there are 16 players across 10 teams, some of them heavily paid, who are yet to play. If one were to put a side together from this lot, how would it fare against the existing teams? So, here we go.
The top order
Quinton de Kock wouldn’t have envisaged sitting out for half the season after his 44-ball T20I century against West Indies last month. De Kock was a prolific scorer for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their opening season last year, aggregating 508 runs at a strike rate of 148.97, as well. But with South Africa releasing players late from the ODI series against Netherlands, Kyle Mayers grabbed the opportunity and continues to hold the opening slot for Lucknow.
Opening with de Kock would be compatriot Dewald Brevis. Said to be the baby AB, this de Villers batting clone can’t get a look in. There are teams like Delhi Capitals who are getting no runs from the top order and here he is with Mumbai Indians who can’t play him, simply because their overseas bowling cupboard is bare. Brevis plundered boundaries galore for MI Cape Town in the SA20 but here he is beyond the boundary.
At No 3, Joe Root’s untapped T20 talent can be given a platform, to relive him off wild dancing duties and other social media content he’s been occupied with for Rajasthan Royals.
The middle-order
Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka may not find it easy to break into the Gujarat Titans’ playing 11 but what’s not to like about his attacking strokeplay and all-round skills.
How about getting Royals’ Donovan Ferreira to follow Shanaka in the batting order? The South African would remind you of a India and Chennai Super Kings legend in his ability to bowl and keep wickets. So, it fit that Johannesburg Super Kings would pay 5.5 million Rands (approximately $300,000) for him at last year’s SA20 auction. In IPL, Ferreira is waiting for his turn at Rajasthan Royals.
Guyanese hard-hitting all-rounder Romario Shephard could bat at No 6. The West Indian comes on the back of several aggressive batting displays against South Africa, last month. He’s struggling to find a place in the Lucknow side.
Gujarat Titans’ Matthew Wade can play the lower-order striker’s role, similar to what he does for Australia. If he manages to recreate what he did in the 2021 T20 World Cup, this team can give many franchise a scare.
The bowlers
The best batter amongst the bowling group gets to bat at No 8. Odean Smith’s power hitting is known to all. He would also be expected to step up with the ball. Pity that Gujarat Titans have been heavily invested in spin.
West Indies’ left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein is one of the most underrated T20 bowlers around. In 103 T20s, he has a bowling SR of 22.7 at a mean economy of 6.68. With pitches getting slower and slower, Sunrisers Hyderabad might want to consider giving him a go. Just that they haven’t yet.
The two quicks in this unused imports’ 11 will be left-arm pacer Obed McCoy and Josh Hazlewood. Rajasthan Royals seem to have forgotten that Obed was the real McCoy in 2022. Before Hazlewood recovers and takes his place at Royal Challengers Bangalore, he can work his way to full fitness with this non-playing overseas eleven.
Impact players
In keeping with the flavor of the season, Ferriera can also be an impact substitute as a lower-order hard-hitter. Ditto Lungi Ngidi who can’t break into the Delhi Capitals side As could New Zealand quick Kyle Jamieson (CSK), Australian left-arm pacer Daniel Sams (LSG) and New Zealand top order bat Finn Allen (RCB).