List of Indian cricketers to feature in T20 leagues outside IPL

Only retired Indian cricketers are eligible to play in overseas T20 leagues.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has a strict policy for Indian men’s cricketers regarding participation in the overseas T20 leagues. If a player wishes to play international cricket for India, domestic cricket in India, and the Indian Premier League (IPL), then he is not allowed to play in T20 leagues outside the IPL.

In order to take part in the overseas T20 leagues, an Indian men’s cricketer must retire from all forms of representative cricket in India, including the IPL.

Interestingly, a few players had previously changed their nationality and retired from Indian cricket to be eligible to ply their trades elsewhere.

Players like Unmukt Chand and Saurabh Netravalkar were part of India’s domestic cricket, but now hold US nationality.

On that note, let’s take a look at some Indian cricketers who have played in T20 leagues other than the IPL after retirement from international and Indian cricket.

Indian players who played in overseas T20 leagues:

1. Munaf Patel: Lanka Premier League (LPL)

Munaf Patel was part of the Indian squad that lifted the ICC ODI World Cup 2011. The former Indian pacer was also a member of the Rajasthan Royals that lifted the IPL trophy in the inaugural season (2008).

After having a sizeable international and IPL career, Patel announced his retirement in 2018 to be allowed to play overseas T20 leagues.

Munaf was signed by the Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Kandy Tuskers for the 2020 edition.

2. Yuvraj Singh: Global T20 Canada (GT20)

After announcing international and IPL retirement in 2019, legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh took part in the second edition of Global T20 Canada in 2020. Yuvraj was picked by the Toronto Nationals in the player’s draft.

The great Indian all-rounder played six matches and amassed 153 runs, including one half-century. Yuvraj also took two wickets in the tournament.

Yuvraj is well-remembered for his heroics in the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC ODI World Cup 2011.

3. Robin Uthappa: International League T20 (ILT20)

Former Indian batsman Robin Uthappa retired from international and Indian cricket, including the IPL in September 2022. The 39-year-old was also part of the Indian squad that lifted the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007. The right-handed batter also had a successful IPL career during which he clinched three IPL trophies with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

After he retired from Indian cricket, Uthappa was promptly signed by the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 league for the 2023 season.

4. Yusuf Pathan: International League T20 (ILT20)

Former Indian all-rounder Yusuf Pathan played 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is for the Indian cricket team between 2007 and 2012. He was part of India’s 2007 T20 and 2011 World Cup-winning squads.

Yusuf played a vital role in helping the Rajasthan Royals lift the IPL trophy in the 2008 edition. Later, Pathan also won the IPL twice with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2014. Pathan announced his retirement from Indian cricket in 2021.

Along with Uthappa, Yusuf was signed in by the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 for the 2023 season.

5. Ambati Rayudu: Caribbean Premier League (CPL)

Ambati Rayudu played 61 international matches for the Indian cricket team but retired on a controversial note after being snubbed from the 2019 World Cup squad.

In the IPL, Rayudu hammered over 4000 runs. The right-hander won six IPL trophies, three with Mumbai Indians and three with Chennai Super Kings. Rayudu announced retirement from all forms of cricket in 2023. 

After his retirement, Rayudu became the second Indian player after Pravin Tambe to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Rayudu replaced South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs in the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots squad during the 2023 edition.

6. Shikhar Dhawan: Nepal Premier League (NPL)

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan retired from all forms of cricket in India in August 2024 bringing down one of the most successful ODI careers in India jersey. He played crucial roles in India’s success at the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, and the team reaching the knockouts in the next three ICC ODI events as well.

He scored 6793 runs in 167 ODIs from 2010 to 2022 at an average of 44.11, with 17 centuries to his name. He also hit seven test centuries 11 T20I fifties. In the IPL, Dhawan amassed 6769 runs in 222 matches and was part of the IPL since the inaugural edition.

After retirement, the first overseas T20 league Dhawan played in was Nepal Premier League in 2024.

7. Dinesh Karthik: SA20

Veteran stumper Dinesh Karthik bid adieu to international and Indian cricket in 2024. He featured in 180 international matches for India from 2004 to 2022. Some of the highs of Karthik’s India career were early in 2007, when he was part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad and the team that won the test series in England.

Later in his career, he donned the finisher’s role to the tee and gave the fans the memorable Nidahas Trophy final in 2018.

In the IPL, he was part of all seasons from 2008 to 2024 for six different teams. He won the IPL title once – with Mumbai Indians in 2013.

Karthik’s first overseas T20 league after retirement is the SA20 2025, where he joined Paarl Royals.

(List updated till 11th January, 2024)

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