Overseas players are a vital part of the Indian Premier League. It is impossible to think of an IPL playing XI without a foreign player in it. While the Indian players form the core group of the team, the foreigners are also an important part of the squad. Also, in IPL, some big names from the other countries participate.
So, it is good for the young Indian players if they get a chance to interact with the senior overseas players. Like in IPL 2021, the fans saw Jos Buttler open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Manan Vohra, which would be a great learning experience for the Indian youngsters. Franchises have believed in retaining their star foreign players. Here’s a list of six overseas cricketers who were a part of one IPL team for more than 8 years.
6. One of the most popular overseas players – AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers will go down as one of the best batsmen in the history of the IPL. He bats in the middle-order and possesses the capability to turn the match with his big shots.
The Delhi Capitals (then known as Delhi Daredevils) were the first franchise to sign AB de Villiers. However, after DD released him, de Villiers became a bigger name in IPL at RCB. He has been with RCB since 2011.
5. Kieron Pollard
Mumbai Indians signed Kieron Pollard after his brilliant performance in Champions League T20. Pollard bagged his first IPL deal in the year 2010.
Since then, MI have never left him. Pollard has been a part of the Mumbai Indians team in his entire IPL career, and he has won five championships with the Mumbai-based franchise.
4. One of the most popular overseas players in IPL – Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is another overseas player who played for only one franchise – Mumbai Indians in his career. Malinga was a part of the IPL since the inception and played for MI until retirement.
Currently, the right-arm pacer from Sri Lanka holds the top spot on the list of the most successful bowlers in IPL. He picked up a wicket on the last ball of his IPL career and guided MI to the trophy.
3. Shaun Marsh
Shaun Marsh was the first cricketer in IPL history to capture the Orange Cap title. He was one of the most consistent batsmen in the league.
Surprisingly, Punjab Kings ended their 10-season association with him after the 2017 edition of the league. Even more surprisingly, no franchise has signed Marsh in the IPL Auction after Punjab released him.
2. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo donned the Mumbai Indians jersey in the first three IPL seasons. After that, the Chennai Super Kings bought him at the auction.
Bravo has been a game-changer for CSK, both with bat and ball. While Bravo played two seasons for Gujarat Lions, he has managed to play for CSK for more than 8 years now.
1. Faf du Plessis
Bravo’s CSK teammate Faf du Plessis is another player who joined the Super Kings in 2011. The South African star has been a reliable batting option for CSK.
Faf has always played for the same team as MS Dhoni. When CSK got suspended, Dhoni and du Plessis played two seasons for Rising Pune Supergiant before returning to CSK in 2018.
