Dream come true: Five cricketers who won the IPL in least appearances
The Indian Premier League trophy is without a doubt one of the most prestigious in the world at the moment. World-class players battle it out year after year to get their hands on it. Despite multiple attempts, players Like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle are yet to win a single trophy. However, there are a lucky few who have managed to get their hands on the prize despite playing just a handful of games. Here are 5 players who have won an IPL trophy in the least appearances.
5. Anirudha Srikkanth – 20 games
The making of Chennai Super Kings’ legacy started in 2010 where they won the finals against Mumbai Indians. Anirudha was a part of the squad which laid the foundation of CSK’s greatness. He was associated with the men in yellow for almost 7 seasons and yet played just 20 games in which he managed to score 136 runs. He never really got an extended opportunity and played just 4 games in their triumph in 2010 as well. But he was lucky enough to get a chance to be a part of the finals in 2010. While he scored just 6 runs, he became a part of CSK’s first golden moment.
4. Jagadeesha Suchith – 15 games
Krunal, J Suchith & @Martyguptill are ready for the next challenge! #DilSeIndian pic.twitter.com/GtUGGNvQKN
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 17, 2016
Mumbai Indians didn’t become the champion overnight. They have had a culture of backing players along with regularly unearthing talents and identifying their potential. Jagadeesha Suchith, the left-arm spinner was a key component of MI in 2015. The then 21-year-old played 13 games for MI, picking 10 wickets. He wasn’t an out and out match-winner but was the perfect foil to Harbhajan Singh. He hasn’t had the career he would have wanted, having played just 2 games since that season, but he should consider himself fortunate enough to have got his hands on the cup at such a nascent stage in his career.
3. Lungi Ngidi – 11 games
Lungi Ngidi is one of the most promising young bowlers in the world. And despite being in the early stages of his career, he has already achieved the high of winning the IPL trophy. In 2018 when CSK lifted the trophy, Ngidi picked 11 wickets in 7 games and was a crucial cog in the wheel for them. It was a golden year for Ngidi as he had made his Test debut in 2018 as well. While injured in 2019, he ended up playing just 4 games in 2020, in which he did end up picking 9 wickets. With age on his side and a good skill set, Ngidi is bound to have a long and prospering IPL career.
2. Niraj Patel – 9 games
While the IPL was surrounded by glam and glitz in 2008, along with a slew of superstars, Rajasthan Royals’ victory was easily the most defining moment of the year. That victory was built on a strong core of overseas players, Shane Warne’s brilliance as captain and a number of young players. One of those young players was Niraj Patel. The Gujarat batsman played just 5 games in the inaugural season, scoring 103 runs at a good SR of 127. In such a short run, it was remarkable how he ended up being one of the players to lift the cup. While he was dropped soon after in 2009, but 2008’s victory is surely one of the most beautiful memories of his life.
1. Azharuddin Bilakhia-7 games
While the biggest players of the game have failed to win the IPL trophy despite playing game after game, season after season, Azhar Bilakhia has won the IPL in just 7 appearances. He was a part of the unbelievable team of Deccan Chargers in 2009, which was ably led by Adam Gilchrist. Deccan followed Rajasthan’s template from 2008 of having a strong captain and overseas core and young bunch of local talent. Bilakhia played 6 games in 2009 and was a part of the team in the finals. He played just one game in 2010 before retiring from the game but not before he had etched his name in history books.
