Some players age. Imran Tahir evolved. At 46, he’s not chasing glory; he is the glory. When Joburg Super Kings brought him back at the SA20 auction, it wasn’t just about experience. It was about energy. Presence. Fire.
Whether it was spinning webs in Chennai or creating chaos in Joburg, Tahir has always been more than a spinner. He’s the one who turns games, lifts crowds, and charges across the ground like it’s life or death.
For South Africa, he redefined what it meant to be a spinner in a pace-obsessed country. For the Super Kings, he brought madness, control, and that warrior mentality that yellow loves so much.
Tahir’s story isn’t winding down; it’s looping back to where it started. And he’s not here to sign autographs. He’s here to compete.
Because even now, when the ball’s in his hand, the game isn’t safe.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Mohammad Imran Tahir
- Date of Birth: March 27, 1979 (Age: 46)
- Birthplace: Lahore, Pakistan
- Height: 1.78 m
- Batting Style: Right-handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm leg-break/googly
- Role: Spin Bowler
- Nickname: The Marathon Man (for his running celebration)
How many Super Kings team Tahir has played for?
Tahir is one of those rare players who have represented more than one Super Kings franchise. His love affair with Super Kings started with Chennai Super Kings and continues with Joburg Super Kings even at the age of 46.
And he has done and given his best no matter which league or team he played for. Incidentally making him the center of attraction. The energy and experience he brings to both the squads is hard to match for any player, making him an important asset to have.
Imran Tahir CSK stats
| Season | Matches | Balls Bowled | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | Best Figures | 4W+ Hauls |
| 2018 | 6 | 124 | 6 | 31.33 | 9.09 | 20.66 | 2/34 | 0 |
| 2019 | 17 | 386 | 26 | 16.57 | 6.69 | 14.8 | 4/12 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 | 66 | 1 | 76.00 | 6.90 | 66.00 | 1/24 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 24 | 2 | 16.0 | 8.00 | 12.0 | 1/16 | 0 |
| Total | 27 | 600 | 35 | 20.31 | 7.11 | 17.14 | 4/12 | 2 |
Imran Tahir’s association with Chennai Super Kings stands as one of the most successful partnerships in IPL history. Joining CSK in 2018 for ₹1 crore, Tahir became an integral part of the franchise’s bowling attack and achieved his career-defining moment in 2019.
His purple cap-winning performance that season remains unmatched by any spinner in IPL history, as he dismantled batting lineups with his crafty leg-spin and infectious energy. The veteran’s ability to take wickets in powerplay overs and death situations made him MS Dhoni’s go-to bowler in crucial moments.
Imran Tahir Achievements with CSK
Tahir won Purple Cap with CSK in 2019 – Most wickets by a spinner in a single IPL season with 26 scalps, becoming the second spinner to win the award for the most wickets in an IPL season after 10 years.
Imran Tahir JSK Stats
| Season | Matches | Balls Bowled | Innings | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | Best Figures | 5W Hauls |
| 2024 | 11 | 186 | 8 | 9 | 26.22 | 7.61 | 186 | 2/13 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 186 | 9 | 7 | 27.29 | 6.16 | 186 | 2/21 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 372 | 17 | 16 | 26.69 | 6.89 | 23.25 | 2/21 | 0 |
Imran Tahir’s signing with Joburg Super Kings for R600,000 marks his return to South African domestic cricket after years of globetrotting through various T20 leagues. JSK, being the sister franchise of Chennai Super Kings, provides the perfect environment for Tahir to showcase his skills one more time.
His vast experience in pressure situations and ability to mentor younger spinners makes him a valuable asset beyond just his bowling contributions. At 46, Tahir continues to defy age barriers and remains one of the most sought-after spinners in T20 cricket globally.
Imran Tahir International Career Statistics (2011-2021)
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 20 | 37 | 3925 | 2294 | 57 | 5/32 | 8/130 | 40.24 | 3.50 | 68.8 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| ODIs | 107 | 104 | 5541 | 4297 | 173 | 7/45 | 7/45 | 24.83 | 4.65 | 32.0 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| T20Is | 38 | 38 | 845 | 948 | 63 | 5/23 | 5/23 | 15.04 | 6.73 | 13.4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| T20s | 445 | 428 | 9537 | 11078 | 567 | 5/21 | 5/21 | 19.53 | 6.96 | 16.8 | 13 | 5 | 0 |
Imran Tahir’s international career spanning from 2011 to 2019 established him as one of the greatest spin bowlers in South African cricket history. Making his debut at age 32, Tahir maximized every opportunity, becoming the fastest South African to reach 100 ODI wickets and 50 T20I wickets.
His retirement from ODI cricket after the 2019 World Cup marked the end of an era, but his T20I career continued until 2021. Tahir’s fearless approach, variations, and match-winning performances in crucial moments made him an indispensable part of South Africa’s bowling attack across all formats.
