Kevin O'Brien is hoping to return to the scene of his finest hour with Ireland by earning an IPL contract in Saturday's franchise auction.
The all-rounder earned celebrity status in India last year when he struck the fastest World Cup century in history in the stunning win over England.
O'Brien reached three figures in just 50 balls and finished with 113 as he despatched England's bowlers to all parts in Bangalore.
He showed that was no fluke with the quickest hundred in English cricket last summer, a thrilling 44-ball effort for Gloucestershire.
Now he hopes to be back in India for IPL 5 and is one of 144 players from around the world looking to be picked up in the auction.
While O'Brien may not be the biggest name in that star-studded list, his base price of 50,000 US Dollars makes him a potential bargain against the likes of Graeme Swann, VVS Laxman and Brendon McCullum who all have a reserve of $400,000.
"The IPL is a great tournament, the biggest in the world in my opinion given the crowds and media coverage, and it's so exciting to be in with a chance of being there," he told Press Association Sport.
"The auction is pretty close now and it would be fantastic to get picked up.
"The eight weeks I spent out there at the World Cup was amazing, I loved every minute.
"Obviously the hundred against England meant my profile increased and then I went to Gloucestershire and scored the fastest century in England last season too. Those two innings stand out and hopefully I'll have some support at the auction.
"Kochi wanted me last year after the World Cup but I wasn't on the original list so I couldn't sign which was a shame. It would be fantastic to be signed this year."
"An IPL deal would be huge for me or Niall on a personal level but also in terms of what we can achieve for Irish cricket.
"If we could be out there for 6-8 weeks it would have people watching the matches, following the results and getting interested. What we can bring to the IPL is to raise the profile in Ireland and that can only be a positive thing because it can only improve and make the game bigger."
The other O'Brien brother, Niall of Northamptonshire, was already auctioned for €62,000 to the Khulna Royal Bengals last week and the wicket-keeper has been left out of the Irish squad as a result for both the upcoming tour to Kenya and the World Twenty20 qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates in March after taking up a playing position in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Alhtough O’Brien was willing to fly to Mombasa for the two 50-over World cup qualifiers on February 18th and 20th, but the selectors stuck to their line that players must be available for all parts of the tour.
Surrey wicketkeeper Gary Wilson will now become the senior wicket-keeper in the squad, with Instonians’ Rory McCann providing the back-up.Speaking about the decision to not select Niall O’Brien, Ireland coach Phil Simmons admitted that it was a difficult situation for the selectors, although the door was not shut for his future involvement.
