The T20 format is generally considered to be a version of the game best suited for the relatively younger players. However, time and again this notion has been defied by experienced heads who have shown incredible versatility in adjusting to the demands of this fast-paced format. The Chennai Super Kings’ victorious comeback in 2018 further strengthened the line of thought that the players who are on the wrong side of their 30s can still be a valuable asset to their respective IPL franchises. Here, we look at the seven oldest cricketers who would feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 this Indian summer.
7) Dale Steyn- DOB: 28th June 1983, Age: 36 years old
Dale Steyn is currently 36 years old and will be plying his trade for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the upcoming season of the IPL.
He played a couple of matches in the previous campaign and particularly impressed with his skills with the new ball, demonstrating that his skillsets are still immense enough to be aptly utilized in a pair of short bursts of two-overs each. The track in Chinnaswamy might just augur well with the Protean whose impact has gradually diminished off in recent times.
Whether or not he is able to replicate his brilliant performances for the franchise over a consistent period of time in the summer at this age remains to be seen.
6) MS Dhoni- DOB: 7th July 1981, Age: 38 years old
MS Dhoni has had two consecutively blistering IPL seasons ever since CSK’s return from their two-year-long suspension back in 2018. Last time around, Dhoni amassed 416 runs in 15 matches that included three-half centuries whilst batting at the number four/five position most of the times.
However, the former World Cup-winning captain has been missing out on regular cricketing action since July 2019 and hence it needs to be seen how he adapts to the fast-paced nature of the IPL after spending a considerable time out of the sport. At 38 years of age, he will still continue to be the most-followed and revered cricketer when the league commences.
5) Shane Watson- DOB: 17th June 1981, Age: 38 years old
Shane Watson had an arguably disappointing IPL season last time around but he switched on the gears when the situation demanded and played a laudable knock in the finals of the tournament, with a blood-ridden knee.
Unfortunately, that valiant effort resulted in a loss for his franchise but served a timely reminder of CSK’s policy of backing their top guns despite them going through a lean patch during the course of the seasons as the experienced men know how to upstage their game when the stakes are high.
Watson will turn 39 years old soon after the end of the 13th season of the IPL and it is to be observed about what role the franchise locks him in for considering they do have the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and even possibly Sam Curran to play in that opening slot.
4) Harbhajan Singh- DOB: 3 July 1980, Age:39 years old
Harbhajan Singh found his second home in Chennai after his decade-long service to the Mumbai Indians. But, most importantly, the off-spinner has been used brilliantly by MS Dhoni who too spent a lengthy time captaining the 39-year-old when the duo regularly played for the Indian national team. For example, Harbhajan has been at his lethal best when he has been put against the southpaw openers in the first six overs of the innings.
His ability to sharply turn the ball away from those batsmen and generate a dismissal even in flat, batting-friendly tracks along with the other antics and entertainment that he produces has made the man a fan-favorite amongst the CSK faithful. He will definitely have a vital part to play as the side has packed their side with a number of spinners ahead of this campaign too.
3) Chris Gayle: DOB: 21 September 1979, Age: 40 years old
The ‘Universe Boss’ might have entered the fag end of his career now, but he always has a special inning or two up his sleeves to unleash in front of the large audiences of the IPL. It would be vital to see whether what role the KXIP management has decided for him, considering he has not been as comfortable against express pace bowling in recent times as he was in the past.
However, the KL-Rahul led team might not have that level of explosiveness up top to sacrifice Gayle’s position and hence the southpaw might just continue to retain his spot in the XI unless Nicholas Pooran probably is promoted higher up in the batting order. At 40 years of age, the Jamaican star would absolutely relish proving quite a lot of his detractors wrong in the next few months.
2) Imran Tahir- DOB: 27 March 1979, Age: 40 years old
Imran Tahir had livened up the tournament in the last season with his excellent skills and sublime leg-spin. He is 40 years old currently and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. The pitch at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium often slows down and aids the spinners.
Hence, teams who are regularly on the verge of scoring a plethora of runs in the middle overs face a stumble with Tahir’s wily leg-breaks. The South African veteran has a vast array of variations up his sleeve but most importantly he is level-headed and smart enough to understand at what point he needs to utilize those skills to outwit his adversaries.
One can expect another campaign filled with wickets and scalps for Tahir who ages like a fine wine.
1) Pravin Tambe- DOB: 8 October 1971, Age: 48 years old
Pravin Tambe made his name in the IPL circuit when he delivered laudable performances for the Rajasthan Royals back in the days after already having entered his 40s. Tambe is generally not a conventional spinner who looks to turn the ball.
He actually looks to put pace behind the leather and put his deliveries in a very consistent line and length to stifle the batsmen for space and hence putting them in a spot where they are unable to execute their shots properly. After spending three seasons away from the ISL, Tambe has found a suitor again in KKR. With an economy of 7.75 in his 33 IPL matches so far, Tambe could very well carry out of the squad player roles for the KKR in the approaching season of the tournament.
Alright! So those were the top 7 oldest players to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. This may be the last IPL season for some of them, if not most of them. Which player among these 7 are you going to cheer for the most, assuming it’s their last season?
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