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Adam Zampa has played for four teams in IPL in five seasons, taking 31 wickets in 22 games so far. The Australian played for now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In PSL, Zampa is playing for Karachi Kings.
Adam Zampa is playing for Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League. (AFP)After explaining monetary issues and the length of the Indian Premier League (IPL) were his main concerns of choosing the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over its Indian counterpart, Australian spinner Adam Zampa revealed a harsh reality that the overseas spinners face in the world's richest league.
Having played for four different teams in five seasons in IPL, Zampa decided to try his luck at PSL making his debut for Karachi Kings in the 2026 season. Another reason of Zampa opting out of IPL is the lack of opportunities. He has taken 31 wickets in 22 matches so far.
According to Zampa, the overseas spinners don't get the value they deserve as overseas batters, fast bowlers and all-rounders are the ones who fetch big money. Discussing the matter at length, Zampa even revealed that the IPL teams prefer Indian slow bowlers rather than their overseas counterparts. “My skillset doesn't get the same value there,” Zampa told ESPNcricinfo.
“You can understand the auction dynamics at the IPL always leans towards fast bowlers or all-rounders. They go to domestic spinners more often than not in that competition. I think leg-spinners being undervalued is specific to the IPL. It's always been the case. You even look through good Australian legspinners who come to mind. Brad Hogg played a little bit of IPL. Shane Warne played a bit of IPL. No one else, really,” added the leggie.
Why overseas spinners are overlooked?
Zampa is right at some point. In the past 18 seasons, the like only a a couple overseas spinners have been able to make a mark on a consistent basis. In fact, Sunil Narine is the only overseas spinner in the top five with most wickets in IPL, which has four slow bowlers. Yuzvendra Chahal is leading the chart with 221 scalps. Rashid Khan finds himself just outside the top 10.
Zampa explained that unless you are an overseas mystery spinner or someone who can bat, its very hard to get an IPL gig for anyone who comes from outside India. "You look at Adil Rashid, who's had limited opportunities; he's one of the best to have done it. Overseas spinners are valued in the English competitions, and certainly in the Big Bash. Basically, every other competition. Overseas finger spinners as well.
“In the IPL, they're few and far between unless you can hit it out of the park or you're a mystery spinner. So the fact that I can't hit the ball out of the ring isn't helpful to that either, but being a finger spinner and finger spinner only, it's hard to get a gig at [the IPL],” added Zampa.
How has Adam Zampa fared in IPL?
Zampa made his IPL debut in 2016 for now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, claiming 19 wickets in 11 games in two seasons. He returned to IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2020, getting just three chance before disappearing again. Rajasthan Royals bought Zampa in 2023 season where the Australia played six matches for his eight wickets.
In the previous season. Zampa played just two matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking two wickets. In PSL so far, Zampa played just three games for three wickets.
Catch the live updates from IPL 2026 with the complete IPL 2026 Schedule and the IPL 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts in IPL 2026 Orange Cap and IPL 2026 Purple Cap.
About the Author
Koushik Paul
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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