India has become one of the biggest hubs of cricket in the recent years. The nation is home to the world’s grandest T20 league – the Indian Premier League. Almost all India-based cricketers aim to play in the IPL because the tournament offers a stage for them to showcase their talent.
However, there have been some occasions in the IPL when the India-based cricketers came to play as foreign players. Every IPL fan would know there is a limit of four overseas players in an IPL playing XI. There are seven slots for Indians. Thus, thanks to this rule, it is relatively easier for Indian player to get a place in the playing XI. Still, the following four cricketers were based in India and then registered themselves in the auction and the league as an overseas player.
1. One of the few India-based cricketers to have played as an Emirati player – Chirag Suri
Chirag Suri is one of the few players from associate nations to have got an IPL contract. Suri, who plays international cricket for the UAE, bagged his first deal in the year 2017.
The Gujarat Lions signed him at his base price at that year’s auction. Chirag was born in New Delhi, India, but he came to the IPL as a cricketer from the United Arab Emirates.
2. Nayan Doshi
Former Indian cricketer Dilip Doshi’s son Nayan Doshi was born in Nottingham. However, he played in the IPL 2010 and 2011 seasons as an Indian player for RCB and RR, respectively.
Doshi was recently in the headlines as he was the oldest player present on IPL Auction 2021 list. The left-arm spinner had registered himself as an English player this year. Unfortunately, he did not get a bid at the auction.
3. One of the few India-based cricketers to have played as a Kiwi player – Ish Sodhi
Ish Sodhi was born in Ludhiana. However, he represents the New Zealand cricket team at the international level. He is one of the top leg-spinners in the shorter formats of the game right now.
The 28-year-old player has been a part of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. He is the only India-based cricketer who has played as a foreigner in an IPL match.
4. Kartik Meiyappan
Born in Chennai, Karthik Palaniapan Meiyappan plays international cricket for the United Arab Emirates. Karthik is a legbreak bowler who has 14 international wickets to his name.
Meiyappan was the only Emirati cricketer to get a place in the shortlisted players for IPL Auction 2021. Although he did not get a bid at the contract, his parents were proud of him. Here’s what Karthik told Khaleej Times after learning that he was present in the shortlisted players:
“I definitely wasn’t expecting it. I was just watching a movie with my family and I then got a message from our manager saying that you have been shortlisted into the auction list. And it was good to see my parents being proud and happy when they heard the news. So, it was a very joyful moment for all of us,” said Meiyappan.
