Benched XI of IPL 9
May 13, 2016 at 11:53 AM
Every year, IPL witnesses a host of world class stars but not all of them are lucky enough to make the playing eleven of their respective franchises. With more than 20 players in the squad, the franchises fail to give every player a chance to showcase their talent.
Just like every year, this year has also seen some big names warming the bench either due to poor form or because they don’t fit into the team’s playing combination..
1. Martin Guptill: Mumbai Indians
The New Zealand opener remained unsold in this year’s auction and was signed as a replacement, after Lindl Simmons was ruled out of the IPL due to injury. The right-hander was in sensational form in the recently concluded World T20.
After playing just one game since joining the team, Guptill has failed to convince the team management.
2.Chris Gayle: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Before this IPL Gayle would never have expected to be dropped from a T20 match, but even Gayle is struggling to cement his place in this year’s IPL.
Barring a century against England in the World T20, Gayle failed to deliver with the bat in the World Cup. His bad form continued in the IPL as he struggled to get runs under his belt.He was finally given chance in RCB’s 10th match again Mumbai Indians but he failed again. With KL Rahul in sensational form, it looks like he will be dropped again.
3.Mandeep Singh:Royal Challengers Bangalore
One of the finest young talent in the domestic circuit, Mandeep,who got only one match to play, was expected to be in RCB’s plans after he featured in all 14 games for RCB last year but with the arrival of Shane Watson and Sachin Baby doing a good work in the middle order, he got only one match to play and it will be tough for him to get a chance in the playing XI.
4. Sarfaraz Khan: Royal Challengers Bangalore
He started this year’s IPL with a bang, playing a quickfire knock of 33 in just 10 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad which proved very crucial in the end, but he was later dropped from the team due to fitness issues.
‘Sarfaraz understands the areas in which he needs to work on as far as the fitness and fielding part is concerned,’ said RCB skipper Virat Kohli. ‘You can’t afford to have too many guys in the field who are not up to the mark with their fielding because the outfield here is lightning quick.’
‘Sachin (Baby) is, in that aspect, very committed. He is fit and he works on those things. As captain, I want to have a guy who gives 120 percent on the field and saves some crucial five to six runs,’ Virat added, discussing Sarfaraz’s omission.
5.Gurkeerat Mann: Kings XI Punjab
After making his debut for India this year, he would have expected to play an important role for his franchise but got only three games this IPL season, but after aggregating just 11 runs he has not got a game thereafter.
6.Aditya Tare:Sunrisers Hyderabad
Wicket-keeper-batsman Aditya Tare led Mumbai to their 41st Ranji Trophy title earlier this year. With Naman Ojha the team’s preferred wicket-keeper, he continues to watch from the sidelines at Sunrisers Hyderabad after playing as a batsman and managing just 8 runs from 3 games.
7. Irfan Pathan: Rising Pune Supergiants
The all-rounder has struggled to get games and it is baffling everyone since Rising Pune Supergiants is struggling in the IPL. He was expected to get chance in the playing XI after a good showing in the domestic circuit but for the time being his role is limited to warming the bench.
8. Dale Steyn: Gujarat Lions
Dale Steyn’s omission from Gujarat Lions’ playing eleven has left many stunned. The bowler has struggled in the shorter versions of the game recently but no one expected him to be dropped.
9. Trent Boult: Sunrisers Hyderabad
One of the best pacers of the world, Boult has struggled to get a chance in the playing XI. With Mustafizur Rahman and Ashish Nehra doing a superb work in the bowling, it looks like he will not get the chance to play in near future.
10. Kuldeep Yadav: Kolkata Knight Riders
The chinaman spinner grabbed the limelights after taking a hat-trick in the under-19 World Cup last year and even played few games last year for his team KKR but with the team management prefering Piyush Chawla and Brad Hogg, and with Sunil Narine in the dugout, the chances of him getting a chance to play looks bleak.
11. Karn Sharma: Sunrisers Hyderabad
The spinner was an important player for SRH last year, but the situation has changed for him as he has struggled to get a chance in the playing XI. With his team in fine form, the team management would not take the risk of experimenting with the playing XI.