IPL's Retired Cricketers
"I'm 43 but wouldn't mind having a crack at it. I think I'll go okay but I am not sure if any side is desperate to take me"
Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, and Glen McGrath have got Steve Waugh thinking about the IPL.
And Steve Waugh has got me thinking.
If he can make a return to cricket, via the IPL, at the age of 43, then which other retired cricketers can do the same?
Here are my top 5 candidates whom I reckon could come back from retirement, play in the IPL, and also be succesful at it!
5. Lance Klusener (Age: 37, Best Fit: Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The IPL will more than welcome his big hitting and pace bowling, if only he lets go of his ICL contract. He can still hit the ball big, and when in full flow there isn't a bigger hitter than him in the game. Ideal for 20-20 cricket.
Royal Challengers Bangalore because of their liking for South Africans.
4. Ravi Shastri (Age: 46, Best Fit: Kolkata Knight Riders)
For starters, it will keep him away from the commentary box. I would rather see him hitting DLF maximums instead of calling them. I reckon he still can. His spin will be more than handy in a tournament where the spinners have picked up a lot of wickets.
Kolkata Knight Riders because Ganguly could do with a supporter and also so that he could get closer to the FIP and save his marriage from falling apart.
3. Mark Waugh (Age: 43, Best Fit: Rajasthan Royals)
If Steve Waugh can think about it, then why not his twin who was the better one in the shorter version of the game. I reckon Mark Waugh can still give many openers a run for their money, moreso in the IPL.
Rajasthan Royals because they could do with some more batting firepower and Shane Warne could do with an old mate.
2. Brian Lara (Age: 40, Best Fit: Mumbai Indians)
His ICL contract runs out next year and who knows, the IPL might just pick him up. The way he was hitting the ball just before retirement tells me that he still has it in him to light up a 20-20 game. If Sanath can do it at 40, no reason why Lara can't.
Mumbai Indians only because I would love to see two masters - Sachin and Lara - in the same team!
1. Wasim Akram (Age: 42, Best Fit: Chennai SuperKings)
More than anything, I would love to see him back! I saw him a year ago in an exhibition match held in Abu Dhabi and I'm telling you he can still trouble many batsmen. The pace might be a bit slower but the swing is intact and that too both ways and as late as ever. Add hi big hitting to it and one has the perfect IPL candidate.
Chennai SuperKings because for how much he praises Dhoni, he might as well play and perform for him. And something to do with big men (Flintoff, Oram, Gony, AB) being a part of the team.
Now its up to the IPL franchises to offer these guys contracts. No one said that only the retired Australians could be a part of it.
Honourable Mention:
John Buchanan (Age: 56, Best Fit: Whoever hires his family as well)
Might as well see him apply his theories on the field and on himself!
Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, and Glen McGrath have got Steve Waugh thinking about the IPL.
And Steve Waugh has got me thinking.
If he can make a return to cricket, via the IPL, at the age of 43, then which other retired cricketers can do the same?
Here are my top 5 candidates whom I reckon could come back from retirement, play in the IPL, and also be succesful at it!
5. Lance Klusener (Age: 37, Best Fit: Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The IPL will more than welcome his big hitting and pace bowling, if only he lets go of his ICL contract. He can still hit the ball big, and when in full flow there isn't a bigger hitter than him in the game. Ideal for 20-20 cricket.
Royal Challengers Bangalore because of their liking for South Africans.
4. Ravi Shastri (Age: 46, Best Fit: Kolkata Knight Riders)
For starters, it will keep him away from the commentary box. I would rather see him hitting DLF maximums instead of calling them. I reckon he still can. His spin will be more than handy in a tournament where the spinners have picked up a lot of wickets.
Kolkata Knight Riders because Ganguly could do with a supporter and also so that he could get closer to the FIP and save his marriage from falling apart.
3. Mark Waugh (Age: 43, Best Fit: Rajasthan Royals)
If Steve Waugh can think about it, then why not his twin who was the better one in the shorter version of the game. I reckon Mark Waugh can still give many openers a run for their money, moreso in the IPL.
Rajasthan Royals because they could do with some more batting firepower and Shane Warne could do with an old mate.
2. Brian Lara (Age: 40, Best Fit: Mumbai Indians)
His ICL contract runs out next year and who knows, the IPL might just pick him up. The way he was hitting the ball just before retirement tells me that he still has it in him to light up a 20-20 game. If Sanath can do it at 40, no reason why Lara can't.
Mumbai Indians only because I would love to see two masters - Sachin and Lara - in the same team!
1. Wasim Akram (Age: 42, Best Fit: Chennai SuperKings)
More than anything, I would love to see him back! I saw him a year ago in an exhibition match held in Abu Dhabi and I'm telling you he can still trouble many batsmen. The pace might be a bit slower but the swing is intact and that too both ways and as late as ever. Add hi big hitting to it and one has the perfect IPL candidate.
Chennai SuperKings because for how much he praises Dhoni, he might as well play and perform for him. And something to do with big men (Flintoff, Oram, Gony, AB) being a part of the team.
Now its up to the IPL franchises to offer these guys contracts. No one said that only the retired Australians could be a part of it.
Honourable Mention:
John Buchanan (Age: 56, Best Fit: Whoever hires his family as well)
Might as well see him apply his theories on the field and on himself!
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