From outside Iqbal Abdulla seems to be just another left-arm orthodox bowler plying his trade in the modern day T20 cricket, especially the Indian Premier League ( IPL). But an extensive study of his career will tell you that he is more than that. He is not someone only preferred by skippers to dart around, but has the brain of a street smart cricketer. The Azamgarh lad can also prove to be handy with the bat in the lower middle order.

It all started for him in 2007 when he impressed against Haryana. His fifer got him noticed and the lanky lad was drafted into the India U-19 squad. His consistency would soon see him become a regular in the Mumbai Ranji team. Keeping his good run of form, Abdulla bagged the Man of the Tournament award during the Emerging Players Tournament in 2011. In 2012, he was the member of the IPL-winning Kolkata Knight Riders.

Of late, Abdulla has been doing a fair job with the Bangalore side in the IPL. However, he still awaits an India call up. But with the Indian team already full of left-arm spinners, Abdulla will have to do a lot better to get recognition from India selectors.