IPL players currently playing in Vitality T20 Blast

The tournament not only offers an excellent platform for the players to showcase their talents, but it also offers handsome cash to the players bought in auctions. In the IPL, due to the limited number of overseas players that can be included in the playing XI, many foreign players found themselves benched throughout the season. When they got a chance to play in Vitality, they made themselves noticed with their performance. Apart from such players, some played brilliantly in the IPL and continued their match-winning momentum in the Vitality Blast. So here we’ll take a look at both categories. 

1. IPL players who were benched in IPL and doing wonders in Vitality

We all know the competition level in the IPL is very high. From hundreds of players registering in IPL to only 80 overseas players bagging bids in auctions to actually making it to Playing XI. Working out the best combinations of players sometimes leaves world-class players to be benched for the whole season. Some of the famous names who did not get even a single game in IPL are Andrew Tye (GT), James Neesham (RR), David Willey (RCB), Dominic Drakes (GT), Finn Allen (RCB), Glenn Phillips (SRH) and Tim Seifert (DC). Though they didn’t play their roles for their respective franchises, they contributed tremendously to their teams in Vitality. 

Andrew Tye has taken 12 wickets at an economy of 7.78 in 5 innings for Durham. David Willey, Dominic Drakes and Finn Allen have been ruling while representing Yorkshire Vikings. Willey has scored two half-centuries and taken five wickets in 5 innings, whereas Drakes has scalped eight wickets in 4 innings played. In contrast, James Neesham has taken nine wickets in 5 matches apart from scoring 137 runs at a strike rate of 175.6, consisting of 1 half century for Northants. Glenn Phillips is making heads turn with his all-rounding performance as he has bowled with an economy of 7.62 and even added crucial runs for Gloucestershire when needed. Meanwhile, Tim Seifert’s ton for Sussex Sharks must have left Capitals wondering why they didn’t give a chance to the powerful hitter. 

2. IPL players carrying forward momentum from IPL to Vitality

While many overseas players were deprived of opportunities in the IPL, a few of them got a chance to play, and they made an impactful statement while playing for their franchises. A few of those influential players who did well in IPL and are now carrying forward their form in Vitality as well are-

 While playing for PBKS, Liam Livingstone scored 437 in 14 innings, scalping six wickets in 12 innings and in Blast, too, he has scored 164 runs in 6 innings along with taking seven wickets while playing for Lancashire Lighting. Tim David, who switched on the power-hitting mode for MI, striking at 216 to fetch 186 runs, is also playing with a strike rate of 180-plus in Vitality. Dwayne Bravo and Moeen Ali, who played vital roles for CSK, are now playing crucial innings for Worcestershire Rapids. Having bowled with an economy of 8.71 in IPL, Bravo has improved to an economy of 7.62 in Blast. Daniel Sams, who took 13 wickets in IPL at an economy of 8.81, has taken four wickets in 5 innings giving an economy of 9.17 for Essex Eagles. South Group table leaders Surrey is witnessing essential contributions from Chris Jordan, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard after their impressive stint in IPL. After impressing with their pace in IPL, Tymal Mills and Obed McCoy are now rocking for Sussex sharks. Apart from these, Nathan Ellis and Sam Billings, too, are contributing decently well for Hampshire and Kent Spitfires, respectively.