Indian Premier League, which is the world’s most popular franchise-based cricket league has seen players from all over the world. There have been successful players from many countries. At the same time, there have been players who have missed out on an IPL contract due to various reasons such as injury and the non-existence of the league during their careers.
South Africa is a top cricketing nation and there have been star players from this country who have rocked the league. At the same time there have been players who have been unlucky to miss out on IPL. Here, we take a look at the top 10 players from South Africa, the rainbow nation who never played the League.
1. Lance Klusner
It is very sad that the “Zulu”(Nickname of Lance Klusner) could never showcase his aggression in IPL.. He was a proper allrounder. With his flashy, yet calculated strokeplay as a batsman, he redefined pinch-hitting with a three-pound bat. He knew just where and how to use his aggression, and he was always able to breach the gaps and clear the line. Klusener bowled a few notches faster than military medium speed. He had a distinctive side-on movement in which his stride began with a hop and his bowling arm appeared in front of his eyes as if he were aiming the ball where he wanted it to go.
2. Jonty Rhodes
Until this man arrived, fielding, one of the three components of cricket, was not given the same emphasis as batting or bowling. He would have been an asset for any T20 side in the world. With his swashbuckling batting and god-level fielding, he could have had a very successful IPL career. He was an aggressive batsman too. In a team of high achievers, Rhodes worked more than anybody else, frequently delaying the team bus after practice for one more round of reflex catches struck from ten meters or fewer.
3. Allan Donald
Allan Anthony Donald, one of the fastest and most fearsome fast bowlers of all time, was fast, fierce, and scary with zinc lotion rubbed across his cheekbones and nose. Allan Donald is someone who would have aced the T20 format. He could have very well exploited the powerplay overs with the new ball and break the opening partnerships. His wicket taking ability was second to none.
4. Hansie Cronje
Hansie Cronje would have been a wonderful fit for a tragic cricket narrative written by Samuel Buckett. Hansie was more than simply the captain of the South African team; he was a natural leader with the ability to inspire his country to greater heights. His wonderful career was cut short, the game became a laughingstock, and the entire cricketing community was embarrassed. Cronje was more than a player; he was a sports ambassador. In T20 cricket, all-rounders are in demand all the time. Hansie was that kind of an allrounder that every captain could dream of. When asked to the G.O.A.T of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar who was the toughest bowler he ever faced, his answer was the man himself, Hansie Cronje.
5. Justin Kemp
A threatening all-rounder built like Hulk, Kemp was a utility player. Kemp could create huge power and easily blast bowlers out of the park back in his day. He also contributed some decent right-arm medium pace. He was a batsman who used to play with a very high strike rate which is a very important tool to be successful in today’s time.
6. Vernon Philander
Vernon Philander isn't particularly quick, but when the conditions are right, he's the most terrifying bowler to face. He has been part of the South African squad for the T20 world cup too. He was a handy lower-order batsman too. He was a proper enforcer. His cricketing mind was extremely sharp.
7. Loots Bossman
Loots Bossman was that kind of player who had secured an IPL contract but could never make it to the starting XI. He was part of the Mumbai Indians squad for the inaugural IPL season. His quick scoring rate and crisp hitting ability wowed. An archetype of the successful Twenty20 batsmen, he was a hard-hitting opener.
8. Keshav Maharaj
The vice-captain of the South African limited-overs side, Keshav Maharaj hasn’t played the IPL yet. He still has a long career ahead of him and might get a chance in IPL at some point in his career. Keshav Maharaj is a passionate and dedicated performer. A dexterous left-arm orthodox spinner who can bowl at any juncture of the innings, as well as a useful right-handed lower-order batsman.
9. Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Lonwabo Tsotsobe is a tall left-hander with a snappy motion who can be a tricky customer, as his velocity and late movement often fool batsmen. His wicket-taking ability as well as being economical could have helped IPL sides by large. He was also known to be a proper team player.
10. Andre Nel
Andre Nel used to be a muscular and fiery fast bowler who used to scare the batsmen with his ability to bounce them out. Many batsmen were rattled by Nel's pace and verbal volleys. Nel would have been an interesting and lovely character to have been in the Indian Premier League.
