IPL is the new way of cricket. Players of all ages and countries compete to play each year and win it for their franchise. West Indies as a country are known for producing some of the finest cricket players. Top bowlers, batters, and fielders are introduced to IPL each year, and always stand out with their exceptional skills. Some of them create history, and others rewrite it. So, we bring you the top 10 most successful West Indies players in IPL history. To start with:
1. Sunil Narine
Sunil Phillip Narine has been playing internationally for West Indies for the past 12 years. He has also been playing IPL since 2012. He joined the IPL by being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders and has played for them ever since. He is an Off-spinner who is known for his mystery bowling. He has since played 162 games in the IPL history and scored 1000+ runs. He has also taken 163 wickets.
2. Andre Russell
Andre Russell was born in Jamaica but used to play international cricket for West Indies. He has retired from international cricket but still plays in T20 leagues worldwide. He started his IPL journey in 2012 for Delhi Daredevils. He played for them for two years. He then started playing for KKR in 2014. He has been playing for them ever since. He has played 112 matches and scored 2262 runs. He has also taken 96 wickets in his IPL career.
3. Nicholas Pooran
He is an explosive player who has proved his worth in IPL in just five years. He started his IPL journey in 2017 with Mumbai Indians but did not play any matches in the 2017 season. He went unsold in IPL 2018. But, in 2019, he was bought by Punjab Kings, by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022, and by Lucknow Super Giants in 2023. Lucknow paid a whopping 16 crores to buy him in the auction. He has played 62 matches and scored 1270 runs in the same.
4. Shimron Hetmeyer
Hetmeyer is a 26-year-old cricketer who plays as a top-order batsman for West Indies. He started his IPL career in 2019 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, then went to play for Delhi Daredevils. He was bought by Rajasthan Royals in 2022 and has been playing for them ever since. He has a strike rate of 152 in 60 games played so far.
5. Keiron Pollard
Pollard is a former West Indies cricketer who has also captained internationally in limited-overs cricket. He has played in the IPL for 12 years. He retired in 2022 from IPL after playing for Mumbai Indians for 12 years. He re-joined Mumbai Indians as a batting coach in 2023. He has scored 3500 runs in the 190 games that he played. He also has taken 69 wickets and saved his team from many embarrassing losses.
6. Dwayne Bravo
He is a retired all-rounder and is currently the bowling coach of Chennai Super Kings. He started playing in the IPL in 2008 and has played till 2022. He played for Mumbai Indians from 2008-2010 and then for CSK until 2022. He is the leading wicket-taker in the IPL history with 183 wickets in his hand. He has won the purple cap twice, in 2013 and 2015.
7. Jason Holder
Jason Holder is a West Indies All-Rounder who has played in IPL since 2013. He has played for Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Supergiants, and is currently playing for Rajasthan Royals. He is a right-handed batsman and has a strike rate of 122. He is also a right-arm-medium fast bowler and has taken 53 wickets in matches.
8. Chris Gayle
Famously known as the UNIVERSE BOSS, Chris Gayle has been one of the most successful players in IPL history. He played in IPL from 2009 to 2021. He scored 4965 runs in 142 matches. He played for KKR (2009-2010), RCB (2011-2017) as well as Punjab Kings (2018-2021). He retired in 2021. He even scored a 30-ball century and the highest individual score of 175.
9. Rovman Powell
Rovman Powell is an international West Indies player who is currently the captain of the T20 format. He played for Kolkata Knight Riders from 2017 to 2019. He was then bought by Delhi Capitals for 2023. He was explosive in the 2023 season. He played 13 matches and scored 257 runs.
10. Sheldon Cottrell
This 33-year-old West Indies player debuted in IPL 2020 for Kings XI Punjab. He played for this franchise until 2021. He is a left-arm bowler and a right-handed batsman. He has only played six matches but has taken seven wickets. He has a batting average of 7.26.
