With the introduction Indian Premier League, Indian domestic cricket changed forever. Its effect was not felt just locally, but rather globally also. The glam and glitz added to the cash-rich league made it one of the sought-after tournaments cricketers aspired towards around the world. This saw the grandest T20 league in the world to be a tad inferior in terms of cricketing standards when compared to international cricket.
With the participation of the elites in the game, franchisees are always on the lookout for good potential around the world who can be groomed and fostered into match-winning superstars. This level of exposure has benefited the local talents, with the current batch of players such as Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav till veteran Ravichandran Ashwin, all being the by-products of the IPL.
All in all, IPL has become a proving ground for aspiring cricketers to develop the caliber to triumph in International cricket. Many boards who were reluctant have now realized IPL’s profound benefits and let their players showcase one’s white-ball talents.
Today we take a look at 5 players who made their IPL debuts ahead of their International debuts.
Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
The Australian all-rounder made his debut in the 2012 IPL by the Delhi franchise fresh of his performances in the Australian domestic circuit. It was later that year; Glenn Maxwell was called up to the Australian ODI side to make his international debut. Ever since he has gone on to establish his name as an explosive batsman and one of the leading all-rounders in Australian cricket.
It was in 2014, the Australian player burst into the crème de la crème of the IPL. Playing for the Punjab franchise, He had a destructive season with that bat scoring 552 runs at a staggering strike rate of 187.75 from 16 matches which included 4 half-centuries. Today the 33-year-old is one of the leading names in Australia’s white-ball formats.
Cheteshwar Pujara (India)
Surprising quite a few, India’s most dependable test batsman debuted his brand of cricket in the IPL before turning out for India in the International scene. Coming out to bat at No 3, Pujara made his debut against the Deccan Chargers in March 2010 playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He didn't make much of an impression scoring only 10 runs of 16 deliveries.
While many won’t remember when Pujara last played the IPL, the fact that he has played for as many as 3 teams will shock a few. It was a few months after his debut in IPL, the batsman went on to make his test debut against Australia and ever since has gone home to prove his credential in the long format of the game.
Aaron Finch (Australia)
Making his debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2010 under the leadership of Australian spin legend Shane Warne, the Australian batsman was yet to introduce his name in international cricket. It was later on in 2011, Aaron Finch got selected for the Australian T20 side to make his international debut, eventually cementing his place in the one day side with some exemplary performances in 2013.
Today one of the main top-order batsmen and captain of the Australian team in the limited-overs format, He has played over 87 matches in 10 seasons of the IPL scoring over 2000 runs which include 14 half-centuries. Unfortunately, he won't be part of the 2021 IPL after going unsold in the auctions.
Shaun Marsh (Australia)
Known as Geoff Marsh’s son until then, the Punjab franchise had struck gold with the find of uncapped Australian player Shaun Marsh. The Australian batsman grabbed his opportunity with both hands and acclaimed international fame after having tremendous success in his debut season in IPL in 2008.
He was in unstoppable form winning the orange cap that season scoring 616 runs in 11 matches holding an average of 68.44. With such tremendous form, a national call-up was always beckoning and he finally made his Australian debut against West Indies later that year. Henceforth he has gone on to represent the Aussies in all formats of the game.
Jofra Archer (England)
Long before making his debut in the English colors, Jofra Archer had an excellent debut season for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. Playing in the 2018 IPL season, the English speedster won't go onto make his international debut until May 2019, donning the England jersey for his first match, playing against Pakistan.
He is now a distinct player in the group, Morgan’s go-to man in white-ball cricket. After impressing in his debut season of the IPL taking 15 wickets from 10 matches, his services have been continually retained by the Rajasthan franchise year after year. Today he has played every season of IPL since his debut but will be a doubt for the upcoming season owing to his elbow injury.
The Indian Premier League has surely raised the standards of Indian domestic cricket in preparing International standard-ready players to don the Indian jersey. With players writing their success stories year after year, this will continue to be a largely dreamt of the tournament for manly players globally. With many more players who can be added to this list, let us know who comes to your mind when you think about players who made IPL debuts before their International debuts.
