IPL stars who faded away

When the Indian Premier League (IPL) got off to a glitzy start 11 seasons ago, it had promised to change the face of Indian cricket. It gave the players — both known and rookies — fame, recognition and of course, the much needed money. For most of the uncapped, fringe players, the cash-rich league was that melting pot, where they could not only prove their worth, but also could hobnob with the stars whom they had only dreamed of meeting! But as the dust settles and the league heads for its 12th edition, reality bites. While there is no denying the fact that the cricketing extravaganza has brought out quite a few young talents over the years, it has also lost some of the players, who dazzled in the early days of the star-studded affair!

HYDERABAD: 21/03/2016:Ground staff spread covers over the pitch as heavy rain halts the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiants at International Stadium in Hyderabad on April 26, 2016. -Photo: G. Ramakrishna

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New Delhi May 17, 2008: IPL Rajasthan v/s Bangalore : Swapnil Asnodkar of Rajasthan Royal drives Abdul Razzak on way to score 50 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 17,2008. Photo by: Rajeev Bhatt

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Chennai: Kolkata Kinight Riders' Manvinder Bisla plays a shot during the IPL 6 match against Chennai Super Kings at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. PTI Photo by R SenthilKumar(PTI4_28_2013_000151B)Photo: PTI

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Paul Valthaty is 34 and has played five first class matches in 2011-12 and has been in the wilderness since 2013. Photo: AFP

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Indian Kamran Khan of Rajasthan Royals bowls in the super-over during the IPL T20 match at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town on April 23, 2009. Kolkata Knightriders scored 15 runs in the super-over after scores were tied at the end of innings. TOPSHOTS / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANAPhoto: AFP

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Chennai: Chennai Super Kings' Joginder Sharma during a practice session a day before the IPL-4 match against Deccan Chargers in Chennai on Saturday. PTI Photo by R Senthil Kumar(PTI4_30_2011_000146B)Photo: PTI

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Kings XI Punjab bowler Parvinder Awana celebrates the wicket of Mumbai Indians batsman Harbhajan Singh during the IPL Twenty20 cricket match between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians at PCA Stadium in Mohali on April 25, 2012. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. MOBILE USE WITHIN NEWS PACKAGE AFP PHOTO/ Prakash SINGH Photo: AFP

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