1. Brendon McCullum:
If it was India’s win at the inaugural T20 World Cup which led to the creation of IPL, then it was thanks to Brendon McCullum, that the tournament started with a bang.
His whirlwind knock of 158 not out changed the way cricket was played and the game has never remained the same since then.
He was the first foreign player who made such an impression and left a lasting impact on the viewers across the globe.
2. Chris Gayle:
Christopher Henry Gayle, the Universe Boss, call him whatever you like, was the single biggest factor for turning around the fortunes of RCB in 2011.
RCB acquired him as a replacement for injured pacer Dirk Nannes. IPL and RCB were never the same again.
In RCB, Gayle found a second home after having 3 middling seasons at KKR. The big-hitting Jamaican went on to become a household name in India and is surely one of the tournament’s biggest names.
3. Ab De Villiers:
Abraham Benjamin De Villiers, the superman from South Africa was another overseas cricketer who found love not just in his franchise of 10 years and counting but even in India.
Not many cricketers are privileged to get a standing ovation in foreign countries but ABD is one player whom the Indians adore and give it up to him every time he turns out, even if that means he is playing against India. Such is the fanfare reserved for him. Genius!
4. David Warner:
People may recall Adam Gilchrist masterminding a sensational victory for the franchise from Hyderabad.
But to do it in and out over the years, tirelessly scoring runs, leading the team from the front, single-handedly spearheading their campaign, David Warner has done so much for SRH, that it sometimes feels he is more at home while playing for them then he is when playing for his country.
But to their credit, the fans and the management at SRH have stood by him through thick and thin, even when his board gave up on him.
They rightfully handed over the captaincy reigns to him once his ban was lifted, thereby showing what he means to the franchise.
5. Kieron Pollard:
People may think that handing over the captaincy duties to Rohit Sharma was the best thing that happened to Mumbai Indians. While it is true that their fortunes changed completely with that moment.
But what people fail to realize is that it was with the arrival of a certain Kieron Pollard in 2010, that MI achieved that aura of dominance. It was he who gave them the confidence that they can win from any position.
He has played more than 150 games for MI and to date continues to be a match-winner for them.
Special mentions:
Dwayne Bravo
Andre Russell
Sunil Narine
Rashid Khan
