IPL is likely to start in UAE from September to November, and finally, fans will see some cricketing action. Over 12 seasons, IPL has seen numerous players from all over the world plying their trade in this domestic tournament. Top overseas players such as Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Brendon McCullum and Graeme Smith have all taken part in this tournament.
But there have been some players who have managed to play in just one IPL match throughout their career. Here are five such cricketers.
1) Younis Khan, RR in IPL 2008
Pakistan players were part of IPL 2008 before they were banned due to everlasting tension between India and Pakistan. Younis Khan too was part of the 11 Pakistan players who were playing in IPL 2008. Younis was plying his trade for Rajasthan Royals who emerged the first IPL champions. Younis could not get more than one match in the tournament as Royals had a wealth of batting talent in their squad. In the only IPL match Younis played, he scored 3 runs before he was dismissed by Irfan Pathan of Kings XI Punjab.
2) Damien Martyn, RR in IPL 2010
Australian players were always in demand in IPL. Martyn, who had retired from international cricket before taking part in IPL 2010, could manage just one match for Rajasthan Royals. He could score only 19 runs before Praveen Kumar of Royal Challengers Bangalore dismissed him. RCB won the match comfortably by 10 wickets.
3) Mashrafe Mortaza, KKR in IPL 2009
It’s a surprise that an all-rounder like Mashrafe Mortaza could play just one IPL match in his career. But his forgettable IPL debut match could not see him wear IPL colours again. Playing for KKR in 2009, Mortaza conceded 58 runs in his 4 overs at an economy rate of 14.50 to literally hand over the match to Deccan Chargers on a platter.
And on top of it, Mortaza bowled 2 no balls as well. However, despite Mortaza’s help, Deccan could manage the victory off a last-ball six from Rohit Sharma. And Mortaza’s IPL career ended with that six.
4) Brad Haddin, KKR in IPL 2011
The Australian keeper-batsman is also in the list, playing just one match for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011. He opened the batting for KKR against RCB in a home game in Eden Gardens. He had a decent debut, cracking 18 runs with 2 fours and a six but that was not enough to cement his place in the team, and it turned out to be his last match. RCB won the match thanks to Chris Gayle’s cracking knock of 102 off just 55 balls.
5) Andre Nel, MI in IPL 2008
The South African pacer, who is famous for his infamous spat with S Sreesanth in a Test match, could play just one IPL match in his career. Playing for Mumbai Indians in 2008, Nel dismissed Gautam Gambhir of Delhi Daredevils, while conceding 31 runs in his 3 overs. Nel was also run-out for a duck without facing a delivery. Delhi won the match in the last over.
Cover picture credits: CricTracker
