India, Dec. 12 -- For Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, the IPL was more than just another league, it was a life-changing breakthrough. In January 2024, Naib had put on an impressive show in a T20I series against India, scoring back-to-back fifties. He was immediately told that an IPL contract was on the horizon, although he could hardly believe it. The teams had already been decided after the auction, which he wasn't even part of. Yet, a few weeks into the IPL that year, he received the dream phone call he had long hoped for. On the next flight, he landed in India to join as a replacement player for Mitchell Marsh in the Delhi Capitals, where he became part of a dressing room featuring Rishabh Pant, Ricky Ponting, David Warner, and ...