Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League has emerged as a talent pool for Team India. There have been players who have set the stage on fire in the cash-rich tournament and gone on to replicate the success at the senior level. While some have achieved cult following, there are others who promised a lot but did not make the cut as far as Team India is concerned.
Here's a look at some IPL stars who have never donned the Indian jersey for the senior team or are yet to represent the senior Indian team.
Paul Chandrashekar Valthaty
Valthaty, a right-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer, was known for his time with Rajasthan Royals from 2009 to 2010 and Kings XI Punjab from 2011 to 2013. He shot to fame with a sensational 120-run knock off 63 balls against the Chennai Super Kings. Valthaty retired from professional cricket on June 18, 2023, due to an eye injury.
Swapnil Ashok Asnodkar
Asnodkar was part of the title-winning Rajasthan Royals team in 2008-09. He mostly played as the opener and scored 311 runs at a strike rate of 133.47 in his career. He was the top scorer in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season, hitting 369 runs in six matches. He now coaches the under-23 Goa team.
Rajat Bhatia
Bhatia was a handy batter and a medium pacer. He played for Delhi Daredevils from 2008 to 2010, Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2013, Rajasthan Royals from 2014 to 2015 and Rising Pune Supergiants from 2016 to 2017. In his IPL career, he played 81 matches, scoring 4,666 runs and taking 96 wickets. Bhatia announced his retirement from professional cricket in July 2020.
Rahul Tewatia
Tewatia is a lower-order batter and a leg-break bowler. He played for Rajasthan Royals from 2014 to 2015, Kings XI Punjab in 2017, Delhi Capitals from 2018 to 2019 and back to Rajasthan Royals from 2020 to 2021 and then Gujarat Titans in 2022. On September 27, 2020, he equalled Chris Gayle's record of most sixes in an over of an IPL match. He struck five sixes off Sheldon Cottrell in the 18th over against Kings XI Punjab. Tewatia scored 53 runs in 31 balls, helping his team chase down a target of 224 runs, which was the highest-ever chase in IPL history.
Shreyas Gopal
Leg-spinner Gopal played for Mumbai Indians from 2014 to 2017, Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2021 and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022. In April 2019, he got a hat-trick against Royal Challengers Bangalore, dismissing Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis. The match was eventually washed out. Gopal has been picked by the Mumbai Indians this season.
