After 60 breathless games of cricket, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Australia’s Andrew Tye ended the 2018 Indian Premier League as the top run scorer and top wicket taker respectively. Along with Rashid Khan’s mesmeric leg spin, Jos Buttler’s rolling barrage of half centuries, Shane Watson’s heroics in the final and the dynamic cameo from Lungi Ngidi that helped carry the Chennai Super Kings to a third title, it would appear that the contributions of overseas players is as prevalent as ever.
However, a closer examination of the numbers reveals a growing middle class of young Indian players who have reduced opportunities for less established foreign imports. While the cream of international cricket is still welcomed at the biggest T20 league in the world, those on the fringes are now finding previously open doors slammed firmly shut.
According to Paddy Upton, the South African coach who has in the past held the reins at the Delhi Daredevils and the Rajasthan Royals, coaches and owners have changed their mindset when it comes to the recruitment of foreign stars.
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