When it comes to IPL franchises, the demand for Sri Lankan players has subsided drastically in the past few seasons.
In this year’s now postponed IPL, no Sri Lankan player was involved/ picked up in the auction. Even in the previous editions, only one player each have been part of IPL teams, Isuru Udana in 2020 and Lasith Malinga in 2019.
However, it was not the case in the earlier seasons of the Indian Premier league. In 2008, the 1st edition of the IPL, Sri Lankan cricketers were the most sought after foreign players to participate in the league.
Not only their presence but their performances also were right up with the best in the world.
ESPNcricinfo ran a Retro segment yesterday and had a look back at the 2008 IPL final and also the most impactful players using their ‘Smart Stat’ metrics.
The Most Valuable player ( MVP) of The 2008 IPL was determined using the smart stats and fittingly it was man of the tournament Shane Watson who is also MVP of the tournament based on smart stats too.
Incidentally, 2 of the Top 5 MVPs of IPL 2008 are Sri Lankans. All-rounder Farveez Mahroof at No.2 and Master Blaster Sanath Jayasuriya at No.4 in the list.
