Five overseas stars who improved their image in India with IPL

Long before the plethora of T20 leagues made their way into world cricket, there used to be a time when international matches were the only ways to see the players in action. Yes, the stakes were indeed gargantuan.

Often, fans fear or even hate certain players due to their peculiarly irksome field antics and monumental efforts against their team, the same reasons which make them loved in their own countries.

Indian fans are especially notorious for this kind of fandom. But since the advent of the Indian Premier League ten years ago, they have gotten the opportunity to see those anti-heroes as parts of their own franchises. As a result, many players have been able to get rid of their unpopular image in the subcontinent to become fan favorites with some riveting performances. Here are five such overseas stars.

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#5 Ben Stokes

Admittedly, Ben Stokes was never really an unpopular player. However, his fiery temper on and off the field has often ruffled up the feathers of the opposition players and fans alike. Adding his 'bad boy' image, much like his predecessor Andrew Flintoff, he was definitely not in the list of role models for any budding player.

However, Stokes lit up the spirited resurgence of Rising Pune Supergiants from a last place finish in 2016 to runners-up in 2017. With 316 runs at 31.60 and 12 wickets at a measly economy of 7.18, he was also adjudged to be the most valuable player of the tournament.

Stokes' consistency as well as no-nonsense attitude were instrumental in endearing him to the Indian fans. After grabbing the attention of the media as well as the fans in 2017, he had a lukewarm season in 2018. However, his stocks off the field never went down.

#4 Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine

The mystery spinner from the Caribbean was a revelation when he burst on to the international scene. The subcontinental dust bowls never had a hiccup in churning out quality spin bowlers, but the variations and guile of Sunil Narine were so much that even the Indian fans could not help being jealous.

That he proved to be a thorn in India's flesh on multiple limited over encounters further aggravated the uneasy feeling that came when the fans saw him taking the short run-up. It was not until Kolkata Knight Riders acquired his services in 2011 that Narine's tricks and his sharp turn started to receive the Indian admiration.

With his peculiar hairstyle and calm demeanour, Narine was an instant hit. His ability to wield the long handle has now slotted him as a pinch-hitting opener. He has played the role to perfection, scoring almost 600 runs in two seasons. Add a small matter of 112 wickets and you have one of the most illustrious Caribbean players in the IPL.

#3 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan

Cricketing affairs have never been cordial between the neighbors since the underdogs infamously ambushed India in the group stage of the 2007 World Cup. In fact, the India-Bangladesh rivalry in recent years has grown to a stature comparable to the legendary India-Pakistan one.

From being almost a teenager back then, Shakib has now grown into one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket now. Ever since his half-century in that match, Shakib hasn't been seen in a favorable light in Indian fan circles. However, since joining the Kolkata camp in 2011, at least the local fans have mellowed down on him to a good extent.

After joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014, his fan base has seen a considerable increase. His numbers of 737 runs and 57 wickets in 60 matches don't seem much, but his best shows have often come on spots of bother for the team. Entering the prime age of his career, Shakib's stocks are sure to boom further in the coming few years.

#2 Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting

Almost every Indian fan would remember Ricky Ponting for his blitzkrieg in the 2003 World Cup final wherein he racked up 140 in just 121 balls. It was the worst heartbreak for every millennial Indian fan, and Ponting was the quintessential villain of the tale. How could one possibly forget the rumor, 'Ponting had a spring in his bat' that popped up shortly after India's meek surrender.

Ponting then steadily rose in stature to being an Australian legend. But in India, his image remained grey. His arrogant banter and sly sledging never went well with the Indian fans and the hatred would have reached the peak in the India's tour of Australia in 2007/08.

Ponting did not have a long IPL career as a player. He played just 9 innings in which he scored just 91 runs and was a pale shadow of his imposing self. But his later association with Mumbai Indians as their batting coach and the team's dominance that followed unveiled his class and cricketing acumen to even those marginal followers of the game.

Slowly, his image of being a brash demolisher changed into an astute tactician. Now plying the trade with Delhi Capitals, Ponting is a respected figure among local fans, something he could never have dreamed of after his repeated trysts with the Indian team.

#1 Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds

From being the burly swashbuckler of Indian bowling to the infamous Monkeygate scandal, Andrew Symonds was arguably the most hated cricketer in India. His fearless devil-may-care attitude occasionally irritated even Cricket Australia but the skill-set he offered was too wide to keep him out of the team.

Earning the title of 'best fielder I have seen' from an acrobat like Ponting testified to his skills. Symonds belonged to the earliest batch of players whose game was tailor-made for T20s. As a result, he was scooped by the Deccan Chargers for a hefty sum in the inaugural auctions.

Though he could make little impact in that season and missed a chunk of the South African leg due to international assignments, he played some critical knocks once he was back and helped Chargers lift their maiden title in 2008.

The best part was when he was bought by Mumbai in the 2010 auction. Symonds shared some light moments with his old nemesis Harbhajan Singh in the Mumbai camp, and them coming to terms later became a great advertisement for the gentleman's game. From there, Symonds took a special liking to Indian culture. He has since featured in a television reality show and even played a cameo in Akshay Kumar's Patiala House.