Purple Cap winner of the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League, South Africa and former Chennai Super Kings leg-spinner Imran Tahir is presently part of the Star Sports Network commentary panel, calling the matches of the ongoing 16th season of the league and providing the viewers his perspective on spin-bowling.
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Part of the IPL since the 2014 edition of the tournament, Tahir last played a lone match for Chennai Super Kings in the year 2021 – when they had lifted their fourth IPL title.
The 44-year-old was roped in by the ‘Yellow Army’ ahead of the 2018 season at INR 1 Crore, and straightaway contributed with the ball as they lifted their third IPL title, which was perhaps of the highest significance as it had arrived after the franchise had returned back post facing a couple of years suspension.
Imran Tahir Retirement
Imran Tahir had retired from ODI Cricket post the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales, after a mutual agreement with the South African Cricket board which allowed him to participate in the various T20 format leagues around the world.
“I have a mutual understanding with Cricket South Africa and going forward I decided that I would finish at the World Cup, that is why I am contracted until then. After that, Cricket South Africa has allowed me to go and play around the world in various leagues but I would also love to play T20 cricket for South Africa,” Tahir had remarked ahead of the World Cup.
Having said that, he is still currently available for selection in T20Is for South Africa, but remains out of contention as the board has this policy to hand preference to those players who are available to play for the country across formats.
This is the very reason why former South African skipper Faf du Plessis despite having only retired from the Test format, is not selected in the Proteas limited-Overs squad. Click here to delve into the details of the issue.
Has Former CSK Spinner Retired from the IPL?
Tahir was one of the many players who had remained unsold during the mega auction in February last year, after CSK had released him post IPL 2021.
His name did not appear in the list of players ahead of the IPL 2023 mini auction as well last December, and as mentioned above, is calling the IPL 2023 matches in the Hindi language for Star Sports.
While his chances to make a comeback into the IPL as a player remains bleak, he has not officially retired from the league as yet.
Most recently, he had played for the MI Emirates during the inaugural season of International League T20, and ended up as their third-highest wicket-taker.
