After explaining the money woes and length of the Indian Premier League (IPL) were his main concerns in choosing the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over its Indian counterpart, Australian spinner Adam Zampa revealed the harsh reality facing overseas spinners in the world’s richest league.
After playing for four different teams in five seasons in the IPL, Zampa decided to try his luck in the PSL and made his debut for the Karachi Kings in the 2026 season. Another reason why Zampa opted out of the IPL is the lack of opportunities. He has collected 31 goals in 22 matches so far.
According to Žampa, overseas spinners don’t get the value they deserve because overseas batsmen, fast bowlers and all-rounders earn big money. Discussing the matter at length, Zampa even revealed that IPL teams prefer Indian slow bowlers over their overseas counterparts. “My skill set doesn’t have the same value there,” Zampa told ESPNcricinfo.
“You understand the auction dynamic of the IPL always goes towards fast bowlers or all-rounders. In this competition, they go for home spinners more often than not. I think the undervaluation of leg-spinners is specific to the IPL. It always has been. You even look at the good Australian leg-spinners you can think of. Brad Hogg has played a bit of IPL but Shanegie has played a bit of a different IPL.”
Why are overseas spinners overlooked?
Žampa is right at some point. In the last 18 seasons, only a few overseas spinners have been able to establish themselves consistently. In fact, Sunil Narine is the only overseas spinner in the top five with the most wickets in the IPL to have four slow bowlers. Yuzvendra Chahal leads the charts with 221 scalps. Rashid Khan finds himself just outside the top 10.
Zampa explained that unless you are an overseas enigma or someone who can bat, it is very difficult to get an IPL gig for anyone from outside India. “Look at Adil Rashid who had limited options; he’s one of the best to do it. Overseas spinners are valued in English competitions and certainly in the Big Bash. Basically every other competition. Overseas too.
“There aren’t many in the IPL unless you can hit it out of the park or you’re not a mystery spinner. So the fact that I can’t hit the ball out of the ring doesn’t help either, but because I’m a finger spinner and a finger spinner only, it’s hard to get a gig in the (IPL),” Žampa added.
How did Adam Žampa do in the IPL?
Zampa made his IPL debut in 2016 for the now defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, taking 19 wickets in 11 matches over two seasons. He returned to the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2020, getting just three chances before disappearing again. Rajasthan Royals bought Zampa in the 2023 season, where Australia played six matches for his eight wickets.
In the previous season. Zampa played just two matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad and took two wickets. So far, Žampa has played only three matches in the PSL, scoring three goals.
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