Class is permanent – 5 Oldest batsmen to score IPL fifty
A lot of players across the globe were part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after their retirement from International cricket or past their prime especially in the first decade of the league. Many players, who were known for their dashing batting during their times featured in the league but were past mid-30s by the time they made their debut. Only a few batsmen were successful in the IPL irrespective of their age.
Here are the top five oldest players to score an IPL fifty:
Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya last played in the IPL during the 2010 edition but his last fifty in the league came during the 2009 season in South Africa. Jayasuriya’s last IPL fifty came against RCB when he scored a 43-ball 52 in the match hosted by Johannesburg. The Sri Lankan all-rounder was 39 years and 307 days old during that matchmaking him the oldest player to score an IPL fifty but was surpassed by four players later.
Mike Hussey
Mike Hussey got in the squad of Mumbai Indians in the 2014 season but returned to his old franchise, Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2015. During the 2nd qualifier match against the RCB, Hussey smashed a 46-ball 56 to help CSK reach the final. It was Hussey’s 2nd last IPL appearance and the last fifty in the league. The Australian batsman was only five days away from celebrating his 40th birthday.
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar signed off his IPL career after winning the title for the first time and his last hit in the league turned out to be a six into the stand named after him. However, his final season in 2013 was not as memorable one as he struck only one fifty. Sachin scored 54 from 47 balls against Delhi Daredevils at Feroz Shah Kotla.
Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid is the only Indian and one of the two players overall in the history of IPL to score a fifty after turning 40. In fact, Dravid struck as many as four fifties in the IPL after turning 40. During the 2013 season, Rahul aggregated 471 runs with help of four fifties. In none of the first five seasons, Dravid struck more than two fifties. Dravid’s last IPL fifty came when he was 40 years and 116 days where he scored 53 against the Delhi Daredevils.
Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist stands as the oldest player to score a fifty in the IPL. Gilchrist got to score only one fifty in 2013 IPL which turned out to be his farewell season. The Southpaw was 41 years and 181 days old when he scored his IPL career last fifty during his player of the match performance against RCB. Gilchrist is also the oldest player in IPL history to smash a century. The Aussie keeper was 39 years and 184 days old when he smashed a 55-ball 106 also for KXIP against the RCB team in the 2011 edition.
