6 IPL greats the fans are going to miss

Since the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, it has given the fans innumerable memories with players from across the world. In these 15 years, cricketers from different countries ahve developed a special bond with the Indian fans.

But all good things come to an end, and even the legends of the game had to bid farewell to the tournament after a while.

Here are 5 star players who would not be a part of IPL anymore:

1. Kieron Pollard

The Caribbean allrounder, apart from his big hits, was also known for his short temper. His skirmish with Australia’s Mitchell Starc is even watched today by fans on the internet.

Pollard, who had become so engrossed with the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise, that when he went unsold in the auctions for IPL 2023, he just decided to hang up his boots.

Having been part of MI for the past 12 years, Pollard, in an emotional letter to his fans said: "If I’m no longer to play for MI then I cannot see myself playing against MI either. Once an MI always an MI.”

Having started as an underdog in 2010, Kieron Pollard went on to stay with MI for 12 years. Photo: Getty

The franchise by then had decided to rope him as the new batting coach of the team. And that brought an unexpected end to a glorious career of Pollard in IPL.

2. Dwayne Bravo

The dancing and funny Caribbean allrounder Bravo, who was considered an 'X' factor for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will not be a part of IPL anymore.

Like Pollard, Bravo too was with the CSK alongside MS Dhoni for nearly 8 years and developed a special bond with the CSK fans. And when CSK had to release Bravo ahead of IPL 2023 auctions, the 39-year-old was roped in as the bowling coach.

In his overall career in IPL, Bravo had the privilege of playing 161 matches where he scored 1560 runs. He also took 183 wickets. Even in 2022, though he struggled with the bat, he was fine with the bowl and took 16 wickets in 10 matches.

Dwayne Bravo was one of the most important players for CSK in the last 8 years he was with the team. Photo: Getty

But then age was a big impediment in his cricketing career and somewhere he had to draw a line.

3. Robin Uthappa

The Karnataka wicket-keeper batter is one of the few players who had been part of IPL since its inaugural edition in 2008.

After his brief stint with the Indian team, it was IPL that gave Uthappa recognition. His heavy backlifts, and sheer muscle power when he would hit the sweep shot was a treat to watch.

Having been part of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Warriors India and then at last Chennai Super Kings, Uthappa’s journey came a long way. His stint with Gautam Gambhir in KKR was a memorable one as he was part of 2014 IPL winnin team.

Having started the tournament with RCB as an underdog in 2008, Uthappa went on to up his game and became an explosive batter, especially in the powerplays. Photo: Getty

Uthappa’s final days in IPL came with CSK where he was inducted into the team at the behest of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. His induction paid off as CSK lifted the IPL 2021 trophy with Uthappa playing a huge role.

But at 38, Uthappa called off his cricketing career in September 2022, a month before the auctions.

4. Suresh Raina

Known as 'Mr IPL', Suresh Raina had an unexpected ending to his IPL career. Having played in the tournament since the inaugural edition, the fans of Raina were left unhappy when he was not retained by CSK management before the IPL 2022 auctions.

Raina subsequently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Raina’s fans felt that their ‘Chinna Thala’ was betrayed by Chennai for whom Raina had done so much. He was one of the highest run getter for CSK with 5,528 runs in 205 games at an average of nearly 32.

Known as Mr IPL, Suresh Raina had a special bond with CSK with whom he spent a major part of his cricketing career. Photo: Getty

The former Indian batter was indeed a legend of the game and will be missed by the fans in 2023.

5. Chris Gayle

No IPL discussion could be complete without Chris Gayle. The Caribbean left-handed explosive batter was one of the stars of Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise, with whom Gayle had a terrific run.

The 43-year-old Jamaican has to his name 6 centuries and 31 half-centuries in IPL, with the highest score of IPL 175* to his name. In 142 games he played, Gayle averaged 39 scoring 4,965 runs.

Chris Gayle, is perhaps, one of the most explosive batters in the history of IPL, second only to AB de Villiers. Photo: Getty

He started with KKR and then moved to RCB, and then finally to Punjab Kingst.

6. AB de Villiers

If there is one international cricketer who commands enormous respect and love in India, it is South Africa’s AB de Villiers. De Villiers was loved for his scoop shots, his 360-degree explosive batting, and his commitement to the game.

A deputy to Virat Kohli, de Villiers played his last game in the 2021 season and then opted himself out of the tournament in the 2022 season. He was part of IPL since 2008, and in the 13 years in the league, he scored 5,162 runs in 182 matches.

AB de Villiers was one of the star players of the RCB and got equivalent love from the RCB fans like Virat Kohli. Photo: Getty

When he stepped on to the ground with his bat, the whole stadium would cheer for him. The fans missed him during the last season, and will miss him in IPL 2023 too.