The 10th season of BBL is underway with plenty of innovations and path-breaking changes. Cricket fanatics around the world are excited to witness these changes and debate about their possible repercussions, be it good or bad. The organizers have ensured that the league reaches a larger chunk of the audience by increasing the foreign players’ slot from 2 to 3. This means a greater number of international players belonging to diverse origins and geographies can be part of the reputed 8-franchise-tournament, adding their own unique favour.
It remains to be seen if BCCI can bend the rules and allow players to venture into T20 tournament around the globe. The jam-packed international calendar will certainly restrict the participation of nation bound players but the retired cricketers, who still ply their trade at the IPL can be part of the league, keeping them in proper stead before the next season of IPL. Here are the 5 Indian cricketers who could have been part of the fresh season of BBL:
1. MS Dhoni
‘Captain Cool’, MS Dhoni would be hot-favourite among the overseas picks available for selection. Being the only captain to win all the three ICC titles and also a three-time winner of IPL with his heart CSK, Dhoni’s craze around the world is something else and BBL franchises would spare no effort to avail his services.
Featuring in 204 IPL games, Dhoni has scored 4632 runs at an average of 40.99 and strike rate of 136.76. MSD has bailed CSK out of trouble on numerous occasions and taken them home from seemingly improbable situations.
His lightning quick reflexes behind the stumps, inflicting plenty of stumpings and astute leadership qualities make him indispensable as far as the limited overs cricket is concerned.
His finishing prowess and reflexes might have slowed down with age, but the fighting spirit and passion for the game hasn’t gone down even by an inch and thus, franchises at the BBL would have vastly benefited by his gracious presence.
Yuvraj Singh
The man of the tournament at the 2007 T20 WC and 2011 ODI WC, Yuvraj Singh has done it all to make the country and the cricketing world proud. The southpaw from Punjab has accumulated 2750 runs from 132 IPL games at an average of 24.77 and strike rate of 129.72. He has also picked 36 wickets with best figures of 3-29.
Apart from this, Yuvi is also a gun-fielder, who predominantly fields at point and dives around to stop easy runs in the favour of the opposition. It is no surprise that Singh will be in huge demand at the BBL, who will pass on his valuable experiences to the younger lot capable of representing Australia in the near future.
A successful season at the BBL will also see Singh’s return to the IPL and even the national team, who still consider the Punjab batsman as their probable sixth bowling option and a vital cog in the middle order.
Suresh Raina
Known as ‘Mr.IPL’ for his flabbergasting knocks in the yellow jersey of CSK, Raina is the one player which every T20 franchise looks for and will do their best to include him among their ranks.
In 193 IPL games, Raina has mustered 5368 runs at an average of 33.34 and strike rate of 137.11. The Uttar Pradesh cricketer has also scalped 25 wickets with best figures of 0-2.
Well-wishers of the Indian team felt dejected when he announced his retirement from international cricket, inspite of him possessing all the abilities to make a comeback.
As for BBL, he could have been the mainstay in the middle order, who could bat according to the situation and put his team in winning positions. Stint with the ball and as an outfielder is just value additions of a cricketer, who is tailor-made for the shortest format.
Piyush Chawla
He might have lost his faith with the selectors of the Indian cricket team, but Chawla is still the best bet when it comes to bowling leg-spin in the T20 format.
In 164 IPL games, Chawla has picked 156 wickets at an average of 27.33 and economy rate of 7.87. He can also bat with efficiency if needed lower down the order, who has a strike rate of 111.45 at the IPL.
The wristy still possesses the same drift and turn when he first started bowling and the aspect could come handy in trying times when the pacers are all over the place and searching for help at the other end. Indeed, exciting times lie ahead for the tweaker, especially at the BBL!
Harbhajan Singh
A successful international bowler, Harbhajan was in the thick of things for India spanning more than a decade. His off-spin was a lethal weapon in his bowling arsenal, who more often than not ran through the opposition lineups.
In the 160 IPL games, Bhajji has dismissed 150 batsmen at an average of 26.45 and economy rate of 7.05. He has also contributed 829 runs with the willow at an impressive strike rate of 138.17. These aspects surely augment his value as a renowned T20 player.
With wrist-spinners working their magic in the game’s shortest format, off-spinners still hold paramount importance given their ability to bowl wicket to wicket and restrict the scoring for the opposition.
Considering Harbhajan’s enormous experience and big heart as a spinner, BBL franchises will look up to him as their no.1 spin option and premier wicket-taker, who can swing the momentum in their favour with his aggressive and effective bowling.
