Top 5 best West Indies players to have played in the IPL

Top 5 best West Indies players to have played in the IPL

Over the years, the Indian Premier League like other global T20 leagues has provided a big platform to many talented youngsters as well as players who couldn’t achieve the recognition they deserved to showcase their talent. Besides this, it has also been a boon for some of the established stars. Amongst the established players, players from the Caribbean have dominated the cash-rich event since its introduction in 2008.

The players from the Caribbean mentioned in the list are big stars in the shorter format. Every player has left his mark with some outstanding performances. Some have shown their batting prowess with destructive hitting abilities while some have been penetrative with their batting, bowling as well as fielding. These players have played a crucial role for their respective franchisees and their ability to deliver during crucial junctures has made them a valuable addition to their sides.

The players mentioned in the list will be remembered as legends of T20 format when they retire. These players vary in skill, temperament, technique as well as their decision making but their ability to produce match-winning performances is what makes them vital for their sides. Let’s take a look at 5 West Indian players who are household names because of their domination in T20 cricket.

#1 Chris Gayle (Kings XI Punjab)

Chris Gayle

The ‘Universal Boss’ as he is fondly called has been a superstar in limited-overs as well as the shorter formats for son many years. The 41-year-old is a menace with his powerful hitting and can blast off any bowling attack on his day. The left-hander can cut the ball powerfully and can split the gaps with his cracking drives.

Gayle possesses limited footwork but can clear the boundary easily with his powerful yet effortless timing. The veteran isn’t afraid to play big shots against the spinners during the run of play. The Jamaican has scored 4772 runs in 131 IPL games so far with an average of 41.14 and with a strike rate of 150.11. The former Royal Challengers Bangalore player has scored 6 centuries and 31 half-centuries in his IPL career. Gayle’s 175 in 66 balls vs Pune Warriors in 2013 was one of the best T20 knocks being played by any player.

#2 Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)

Kieron Pollard

Since starting his association with Mumbai Indians, Pollard has been the mainstay of the batting line up. Whether it is short of length or back of length delivery Pollard can judge the length quickly as he is strong on the back foot as well as the front foot. Pollard can read the situation well which helps him play attacking shots while chasing a big target.

The right-hander can pull the ball powerfully and can cut the ball wonderfully on the back foot. Pollard is also a handy medium pacer who can outsmart the batsmen with his clever variations. The Trinidadian has scored 3023 runs in 164 IPL games so far with an average of 29.93 and a strike rate of 149.88. Pollard has 15 half-centuries to his name in his IPL career. Pollard has taken 60 wickets in his IPL career with career-best figures of 44/4. The 33-year-old’s form has been crucial in Mumbai Indians 5 title wins.

#3 Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)

Dwayne Bravo

Bravo has been a vital component in Chennai Super Kings’ 3 title triumphs. The 37-year-old has played some match-defining innings with his attacking batting. Bravo can drive the ball crisply and is a quick runner between the wickets. Bravo’s wrist work and his ability to punch the ball on the up makes him difficult to bowl at as the Trinidadian possesses quick footwork on fast wickets.

Bravo’s gentle medium pace has caused problems for the batsmen. Bravo can mix his deliveries well and can outfox the batsmen with his clever slower ones during the run of play. Bravo is a fine fielder especially at the deep. The all-rounder has scored 1490 runs in 140 IPL games so far with an average of 22.58 and a strike rate of 128.23. Bravo has 5 half-centuries to his name in his IPL career and has taken 153 wickets overall with career-best figures of 22/4.

#4 Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Andre Russell

Russell’s brave hitting and his ability to strike the ball powerfully have added enough width to the Kolkatta Knight Riders batting line up. Whether it’s hitting straight, pulling the ball with his powerful forearms or playing big shots over extra cover Russell can destroy any bowling outfit on his day.

The 32-year-old can trouble the batsmen with his pace and can contain the batsmen with his length. Russell has the ability to bowl in the blockhole and is not afraid to pitch the ball up to the batsmen. Russell can trouble the batsmen with occasional leg cutters. The Jamaican has scored 1517 runs in 74 IPL games so far with an average of 29.75 and strike rate of 182.33. The burly all-rounder has scored 8 half-centuries in his IPL career with the highest score of 88 in 2019. Russell has taken 61 wickets in his IPL career with the best figures of 20/4.

#5 Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Sunil Narine

Narine is a deadly T20 bowler who can surprise the batsmen with creative variations and faster ones. The 32-year-old can turn the ball and has the ability to outsmart the batsmen in the air.

The Trinidadian’s wrong ones are difficult to read while his bowling action can put the batsmen in two minds. Narine has worked hard on his batting which is the reason why he can be used as a pinch hitter or an opener. Narine has scored 892 runs in 120 IPL games with a strike rate of 164.27. He has also scored 4 half-centuries and has career-best figures of 19/4 in the IPL.

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