The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most glamorous cricket league in the world. It has changed the landscape of T20 cricket, offering a platform where legends are born, careers are revived, and young talent gets the exposure of a lifetime. Each year, players from across the globe eagerly await the IPL auction, hoping for a franchise to take a chance on them. But while many go on to become household names, there’s a lesser-known group of players who were signed, made it to the squad, warmed up with the team, but never got a chance to play a single match.
Whether due to team combinations, foreign player limits, unfortunate injuries, or simply bad timing, some talented individuals had to endure entire seasons—or even multiple seasons—without getting a shot in the starting XI. These stories serve as a reminder of just how competitive the IPL is.
In this blog, we look at 5 players who were signed in the IPL but never got to play a single game, despite having impressive records or fan following. Let’s dive into their journeys and understand why they never took the field.
5. Mohammad Shahzad (Sunrisers Hyderabad – 2017)
Player Background:
The flamboyant Afghan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad is known for his fearless strokeplay and infectious personality. Shahzad, a cult figure in Afghanistan cricket, has won games single-handedly with his bat, especially in T20 formats.
IPL Journey:
Shahzad was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017, making him one of the first big-name Afghan cricketers to be picked after Rashid Khan. Fans were excited to see his explosive brand of cricket in the IPL.
Why He Didn’t Play:
Unfortunately, SRH had an already-loaded foreign batting lineup—David Warner, Kane Williamson, and Jonny Bairstow were all ahead in the pecking order. Given the limited foreign player slots, Shahzad remained on the bench throughout the season.
4. Colin Munro (Delhi Capitals – 2018 & 2019)
Player Background:
Colin Munro is a T20 specialist from New Zealand, known for his explosive hitting at the top. He’s one of the few cricketers to have scored three T20I centuries, boasting a strike rate above 140. On paper, he’s the kind of player IPL teams salivate over.
IPL Journey:
Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) signed Munro for back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019. Despite his high-profile T20 reputation, he never made it to the playing XI.
Why He Didn’t Play:
Delhi had a strong Indian top order with Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, and Shreyas Iyer. Additionally, Rishabh Pant occupied the aggressive middle-order role. Munro couldn’t fit into the puzzle without disrupting the balance of overseas players.
3. Jason Behrendorff (Mumbai Indians – 2018)
Player Background:
Jason Behrendorff is a tall left-arm Australian pacer known for his ability to swing the ball both ways in the powerplay. He gained attention with impressive performances for Australia and in the Big Bash League. His natural angle and discipline made him an exciting T20 prospect.
IPL Journey:
Mumbai Indians signed Behrendorff in 2018, banking on his new-ball skills. He later played in the IPL for other franchises, but during that particular season with MI, he didn’t feature in any games.
Why He Didn’t Play:
Injuries and a stacked bowling lineup featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman, and Mitchell McClenaghan meant there was simply no room. MI also preferred Indian bowlers to keep their overseas quota open for all-rounders and power-hitters.
2. Tamim Iqbal (Pune Warriors India – 2012)
Player Background:
Tamim Iqbal is arguably Bangladesh’s greatest opening batsman. With over 8000 ODI runs and 1,700+ in T20Is, his aggressive starts at the top have often set the tone for Bangladesh. A natural stroke-maker, he has the experience of playing in multiple T20 leagues around the world.
IPL Journey:
In 2012, Tamim was roped in by the now-defunct Pune Warriors India. Given his attacking nature and growing stature in international cricket, many thought he would be a great fit for the IPL.
Why He Didn’t Play:
Despite the promise, he didn’t get a single opportunity. Pune had a cluttered top order with the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Jesse Ryder, and Robin Uthappa. Add to that the four-foreigner rule, and Tamim found himself on the wrong side of selection decisions.
1. Cheteshwar Pujara (Multiple Franchises)
Player Background:
Cheteshwar Pujara is a name synonymous with grit, determination, and classical Test match batting. He has been India’s most reliable No. 3 in Tests for over a decade and is often hailed as a modern-day wall. With over 7000 Test runs, his contribution to India’s overseas successes has been monumental.
IPL Journey:
Pujara was first picked by KKR in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 and later signed by Kings XI Punjab in 2010. In 2021, he made headlines when CSK picked him up at the auction, marking a highly anticipated return to the league after nearly seven years. Despite the buzz and public interest, he didn’t play a single match that season.
Why He Didn’t Play:
His traditional playing style, built around patience and technique, doesn’t quite fit the aggressive demands of T20 cricket. CSK had a settled and explosive batting unit, and Pujara was likely viewed as a backup option or a morale booster in the dressing room.
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