Kevin O'Brien - Why didn't any of the IPL Franchises pick him?

It remains a big mystery as to why Kevin O'Brien, with his big hitting and powerful stroke play, failed to strike a chord with any of the IPL franchises, during the auctions for Season 5.

Why didn't any of the IPL franchises find favor with Kevin O'Brien
 at the 2012 auctions for Season 5, incidentally held in Bangalore,
the same place where O'Brien set his record against England
of the fastest World Cup century , a year ago

Did the franchises simply develop amnesia about the unbelievable innings that O'Brien played at Bangalore against England during ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, where he scored the fastest century ever seen in any World Cup, in just 50 deliveries? After all, it was his innings which allowed underdogs Ireland to win the game when the odds on an Irish win in the game were placed at 400-1.

Enjoy a short clip of Kevin O'Brien getting to his century, 

in the match against England during World Cup 2011 in Bangalore

Enjoy complete highlights of the same match

 against England in Bangalore during World Cup 2011

O'Brien himself was quite keen on playing in the IPL (well, who wouldn't!) and had expressed his keenness about the same rather openly. His base price too remained rather on the lower side at $50,000 only. The very fact that he still did not get picked remains a huge surprise, which only the franchises themselves can clear the air about.

After all, when one looks at his entire swashbuckling and colorful personality (in quite a literal sense, with his dyed hair!), one simply gets the feeling that he is a perfect match for the IPL; one which IPL fans in India - and indeed around the world, would simply LOVE to watch!

Who wouldn't want to see that colorful personality in the IPL?
IPL fans DEFINITELY would!

Moreover, the franchises should remember that O'Brien is an all rounder, almost as proficient with the ball as he is well known to be with the ball. So in that sense, O'Brien would certainly prove to be an excellent investment who would proffer excellent returns on investment.

Kevin O'Brien the bowler - yes the man can be just as
lethal with the ball, as he is with the bat!

Also, the on-field histrionics of Kevin O'Brien have been proven very well, both before and after the 2011 World Cup game against England and his historic innings in it. For instance, in the previous edition of the World Cup in 2007, O'Brien had a crucial role to play in the game against Pakistan, which saw the latter crashing out of the tournament (which also eventually led to the mysterious death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer). In the same World Cup, O'Brien played a pivotal role in the tied game against Zimbabwe as well, this time with the ball where he bowled a wicket maiden in the penultimate over.

The unbelievable upset in 2007 ICC World Cup, summarized in the above picture.
While Kevin's brother Niall won MoM, Kevin himself had a key role to play in the match 

As far as O'Brien's performance after his match winning historic knock against England in 2011 is concerned, that too has been absolutely stellar, with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club gladly signing him on to play for them. 

Yet again, Kevin O'Brien proved his mettle as a powerful stroke maker, this time with a century against Middlesex which came off just 52 deliveries (for his entire innings of 119 runs and not just to get to three figures, which he did in even less deliveries). Mind you, this was a T20 game - the same format as the IPL.

Kevin O'Brien acknowledges the crowd after completing his century
against Middlesex, in a T20 game - the same format of the IPL

After all this, to see Kevin O'Brien not being picked up by any of the IPL franchises for Season 5 is certainly shocking as well as extremely disappointing. The crowds would certainly have loved to see him play and at his base price, he would have proven to be complete value for money.

C'mon IPL Franchises - we want to see more such
scenes - and we are sure so do you!

Let's just hope from here on that better sense prevails and we eventually do get to see Kevin O'Brien play in the IPL in Season 6 in 2013. With speculation being rife about a possible IPL team from Gujarat - Season 6 onwards, Kevin O'Brien might just be basking in the fragrance of Khushboo Gujarat Ki, although he will have to firmly leave behind any dreams of celebrating his big knocks with a huge swig of Guinness or even a small swirl of Bailey's Irish Cream, due to a prohibition ruling being strictly enforced in the state!