IPL 2023: 3 Overseas Players Who Starred in PSL 2023 but May Not Play a Game in the Upcoming Season

The Indian Premier League has always been used by players from all around the globe to showcase their talent and produce memorable performances in order to leave their mark in the biggest and toughest T20 tournament in the world. There is always extra pressure on the players playing in the IPL, especially players coming from other countries to prove their worth in the cash-rich league.

In the upcoming 2023 edition, the world will witness some of the top overseas players in the world right now, and they will certainly help their respective franchises to be successful in the competition. With their presence, the young Indian players will also be benefitted as they will have a fantastic opportunity to learn and share the dressing room with some of the finest players across the world. While the core of the IPL is made up of Indian players, the international stars are the ones who lit up the stage with their brilliant returns. There is no denying that foreign recruits are extremely critical for the success of their franchises.

While the IPL is yet to begin, currently the focus of the T20 fans is on the ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2023). Some of the overseas stars, who’ll be taking part in the IPL 2023, have lightened up Pakistan’s franchise T20 competition. Despite performing well in PSL, some of these players may not play a game in the IPL 2023. In this listicle, we will take a look at three such players who might end up being on the bench.

Here’s a Look at the PSL 2023 Superstars Who’ll Struggle to Find a Place in the Playing XI in the IPL 2023:

3) Fazalhaq Farooqi

Fazalhaq Farooqi has been the best bowler for Islamabad United in the ongoing season and has picked up 10 wickets while bowling at an average of 15 and an impressive economy rate of 7.93. Due to his strong performances, Islamabad United are placed at the third spot in the points table with 12 points in the 10 matches with the help of 6 wins and 4 losses. The left-arm pacer has been in sensational form in the 20-over format and is slowly making a name for himself as a reliable T20 bowler.

He is one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from Afghanistan cricket. Seeing his potential, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) invested in Farooqi as they signed the Afghan pacer for INR 50 lakh in the auction for the Indian Premier League 2022. Farooqi got only three chances in playing XI during the IPL 2022. The left-arm pacer picked up only two wickets at an economy rate of 9.38. Despite that, the Afghan pacer was surprisingly retained ahead of the IPL 2023 auction. Due to the presence of left-arm seam bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen in the squad, it is unlikely that Farooqi will get many chances for the 2016 IPL winners in IPL 2023.

2) Sikandar Raza

An integral part of the defending champions Lahore Qalandars, Sikandar Raza has made 198 runs at an incredible strike rate of 188. He also has bagged four wickets with his part-time off-spin bowling. His fine 71* under pressure for the Lahore Qalandars against the Quetta Gladiators proved just how good he is when the pressure is on. After his sensational run in the shortest format last year, Raza was secured by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) for his base price of INR 50 lakh. Punjab Kings liked what they saw in Raza and acquired his services for the 16th edition of the cash-rich league. However, it is not certain whether he would be able to break into the playing XI.

PBKS have top-drawer overseas players such as Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow, Kagiso Rabada, and Liam Livingstone at their disposal. All of them have fared well in the lucrative T20 tournament in the past and thus, are likely to be PBKS’ first-choice picks for the IPL 2023. It will be a headache for the Punjab Kings team management how to include Raza in the playing XI with so many quality overseas options in the squad. Given the composition of the side, the Zimbabwean stalwart might not struggle to get a game in the upcoming edition.

1) Rilee Rossouw

Rossouw is in excellent hitting form in the PSL 2023 for his team Multan Sultans. The dashing left-handed batter has scored 388 runs from nine innings so far in the tournament this season. It includes a blistering ton 121 off 51 against Peshawar Zalmi. The Proteas batter has already set the stage on fire. He is slated to play for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023 after the team hired him at the auction last year for INR 4.60 crore. Opposite to his record in the PSL, his IPL career has been disappointing considering the amount of talent he possesses.

He’s a part of Delhi Capitals which boasts quality overseas stars such as David Warner, Anrich Nortje, Mitchell Marsh, Phil Salt, and Rovman Powell. It will be very difficult for Rossouw to break into the playing XI as only four overseas slots will be there. His IPL career also doesn’t really support his case as he has batted and scored just 53 runs in five innings at an average of 10.6 and a modest strike rate of 103.92.