Indian Premier League can be a laborious tournament. With cut-throat competition between franchises, the players need to be at their very best if they have to survive. Sometimes, even if you don’t get chances to prove yourself, luck can have its spell in the cruelest ways.
Once you are released from a particular franchise, unless you perform well in either international games or domestic games, there is no way coming back to the tournament. In this article, we talk about one stat that attests to how contentious IPL is.
Not one or two, but these players have had a six-year-long break in their IPL careers. While for some, it was due to injuries, for most, it was because of inferior form. There are four such cases, and we discuss them in the below headings.
1. Colin Ingram
When the legends of South Africa were hanging up their boots, Colin Ingram was branded as one of the players who could help the nation during the transition. However, Ingram did not live up to his expectations. He was often out of form and soon went out of favor. In 2011 and 2012, Colin played for the Delhi Daredevils. After that, it was only after six seasons that the South African returned to IPL. It was, again, for the same franchise. His comeback-stint was also unsuccessful and was later released back to the auctions.
2. James Pattinson
Injuries have been the major obstacles in James Pattinson’s career so far. Once considered as the future of the Australian bowling attack, Pattinson drifted away due to consistent injuries. Nevertheless, he is a quality bowler and is on a comeback trail. In IPL, before the 2020 edition, Pattinson last played in 2013. It was for KKR, and he was there in the franchise for three years. However, he went absent for six editions and only came back at UAE. In the Arab States, Pattinson served well for Mumbai Indians. He backed up Bumrah to an extent and delivered in whatever chances he got.
3. Shrikant Mundhe
A right-handed medium pace bowler who could offer something with the bat, Shrikant Mundhe was an exciting player. In 2011, Pune Warriors India sensed this and brought the player. However, the Maharashtrian was released at the end of the same season. Six editions later, in 2018, KKR hired the services of the cricketer. Mundhe had done well in domestic games and hence got his second chance. But, that did not work out too. Ahead of the 2020 IPL Auctions, KKR released the player.
4. Jaskaran Singh
Jaskaran Singh is a left-arm pacer based out of Jharkhand. Back in 2009, Deccan Chargers signed up the uncapped player to play in South Africa. However, the then-teenager did not get chances to prove his potential. The main reason for this was that RP Singh was in roaring form for the Hyderabad team. At the end of the season, DC released him, and for six long years, the player failed to earn an IPL contract. It was only in 2016 that Rising Pune Supergiant gave him a chance. He was there in the franchise for two years, and after the stint, the player was back to being away from the competition.
