Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
In the 18 years of the Indian Premier League (IPL), there have been several overseas players who scintillated the tournament with their extraordinary performances. Back in 2008, when the league was launched, Brendon McCullum and Mike Hussey kicked off the tournament with their extraordinary tons for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) respectively. The inaugural edition of the league also saw the dominance of overseas captain Shane Warne, who made Rajasthan Royals (RR) champions with his leadership skills.
With the completion of the league's 17 years, let’s talk about IPL’s all-time overseas XI.
1. David Warner (C)
Former Australia opener David Warner played IPL from 2009 to 2024 and during those 15 years, he achieved magnificent success. The southpaw is currently the leading run-scorer in the overseas category with 6565 runs in 184 matches. In 2016, he led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) from the front and became the third Australian captain to win the coveted trophy.
2. Chris Gayle
West Indies legend Chris Gayle played the distinguished league from 2009 to 2021. In his massive IPL career, he became the Orange Cap winner for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2011 and 2012. The notable achievement also makes him the only player to conclude two consecutive seasons as the leading run-getter.
3. AB de Villiers (WK)
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers played for RCB from 2011 to 2021. Playing alongside Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle in the team, the Protea used to be a threat for bowlers. He is the second-leading run-scorer for RCB with 4522 runs in 157 contests.
4. Shane Watson
Former Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson played an instrumental role in RR’s title win in the maiden IPL edition in 2008, chipping in with 472 runs and 17 wickets in 15 outings.
5. David Miller
Gujarat Titans (GT) won the IPL 2022 edition and became the second team after Rajasthan to win the tournament on debut. In their crucial success, David Miller made an essential contribution with his bat. Donning the role of finisher, the southpaw amassed 481 runs in 16 games.
6. Kieron Pollard
Former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard delivered his services to Mumbai Indians (MI) only in his 12-year IPL career. In 2013 and 2015, when MI lifted the trophies, he played an impactful role with his bat.
7. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo, who served CSK for 10 seasons, is the most successful overseas pacer in the league, grabbing 183 wickets in 161 matches in his 14-year IPL career from 2008 to 2022.
8. Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine, a key member of KKR since 2012, made a major contribution in the team’s three title triumphs. In Kolkata’s victories in 2012 and 2014, he claimed 45 wickets combined in 31 matches.
9. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan spearheaded GT’s spin attack valiantly in 2022 to make his team IPL champions. The Afghanistan spin wizard bagged 19 wickets in 16 games and ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker for Gujarat in the tournament.
10. Trent Boult
New Zealand speedster Trent Boult, allying with Jasprit Bumrah, handed MI their fifth trophy in 2020. The Kiwi pacer notched up 25 wickets for Mumbai in 15 matches and concluded the season as the third-highest wicket-taker.
11. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga served MI throughout his 10-year IPL career. Serving Mumbai from 2009 to 2019, he delivered five trophies to the team and also racked up 195 wickets in 139 games.
Impact Player: Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler, who is a part of GT in IPL 2025, has looked stunning in the league. Back in 2022, when RR concluded their campaign as runners-up, the England batter became the winner of the illustrious Orange Cap. The veteran smashed 863 runs in 17 matches with four tons.
