Who doesn’t know about IPL? Since its beginning in 2008, IPL has taken its place in the world’s cricket calendar. Currently the world’s biggest franchise cricket league is IPL. Cricketers all over the world consider themselves lucky to get a chance to play in the IPL. Get ready to meet four Zimbabwean cricketers, who became a part of the popular Indian Premier League (IPL)!
A few days back, a mini auction was held for the upcoming 2023 IPL. In the auction after many years a cricketer from Zimbabwe got picked by a IPL franchise. His name is Sikandar Raja. Raja is the fourth player from Zimbabwe to get an IPL contract. Let’s see how many players from Zimbabwe have got a chance to play in IPL till date.
Meet the 4 Zimbabwean Cricketer Who Played in the IPL
1. Tatenda Taibu : He is a Zimbabwean wicket-keeper batsman and former captain. He is the first player from Zimbabwe to represent in the IPL. In 2008 which was the innagural season of IPL Taibu was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders. But he did not get much chance to play. His IPL career ended after playing just 3 matches. In those 3 matches he scored a total of 31 runs.
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2. Raymond Price: He is one of the finest left arm spinners from Zimbabwe. Price was picked up by Mumbai Indians at the last minute in the 2011 IPL season. But he did not get a chance to play more than one match in IPL. In that match against KKR Price took 2 wickets for 33 runs.
3. Brandon Taylor : He is one of the best wicket keeper batsman from Zimbabwe and former captain. In 2014 IPL season he was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad. But Taylor did not get a chance to play any match.
4. Sikandar Raja : Sikandar Raja is a Zimbabwean bowling allrounder. For 2023 IPL season Punjab Kings bought Sikandar Raza for his base price of 50 lakhs INR. So far, he has played 66 T20I matches and scored 1259 runs at a strike rate of 128.86. While bowling he has picked up 38 wickets.
Conclusion
Finally it can be said that IPL has provided the much needed platform for many cricketers from different countries to compete at a high level. While the rest of Zimbabwe’s cricketers have failed to capitalize on this opportunity, but it is hoped that Sikandar Raja will be able to use this platform to showcase his cricketing talent to the world and gain exposure to a global audience.
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