The IPL has become popular in a very short time because of the quality of players on display day in day out for a span of almost 2 months. However teams who buy players at the auction will not be able to play all the players and stars purchased. As a result some of he most successful players also find themselves benched to create stability in the team.
Here is a team of XI consisting of players who have been benched regularly –
Michael Hussey
The dynamic batsman from Australia has helped the CSK team win games single handedly in the previous seasons but MR Cricket found it hard to play games over Brendon McCullum who seems to get bolder and better as the years go by. Hussey who did feature in the knockouts stage due to international duties for McCullum showed his cool in the eliminator with a crucial knock but his age has seen him act more as a mentor to the team.
Kane Williamson
Another batsman who has had a great World Cup, Williamson who most thought was a great buy by the Sunrisers Hyderabad did not feature a lot in the IPL. He was given his chances in the start of the season but lost his place to Morgan who found his form in the middle of the tournament. Williamson who proved his talent in the test against England would have been unhappy having to sit out but will have to prove his mettle in the limited chances he gets in the IPL.
Baba Aparijith
One of the most promising young cricketers in the domestic circuit, Baba Aparijith who took the Ranji trophy by storm was picked up by the most consistent team of the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings. However the dream of playing for the team could not be achieved by Aparijith as a star packed starting line-up did not provide him with a chance. His brilliant form in the domestic season has found him a place in the Bench XI of this season’s IPL.
Subramaniam Badrinath
The classy and ever busy batsmen Badrinath who had a long stint with the CSK franchise recently was acquired by the Royal Challengers form Bangalore. However, Badrinath could not find a place in any of the games for RCB because of the stars in the squad. Badrinath who is a grafter takes his time to accumulate the runs plays a sheet anchor role but the RCB team which relied upon big hitting this season did not give him a chance which bought him to the Bench XI.
Manvindar Bisla
Another domestic batsman who has great potential for the big games, Bisla who has already bagged a Man of the Match in the final of a season of the IPL, now plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore alongside one of the best players in the game now. However it meant that he would not get a lot of chances to prove himself and Bisla found more time on the bench than on the field making him a part of this XI.
Aditya Tare
A part of the triumphant Mumbai Indian’s side in 2013, Tare a wicketkeeper continued his form in the 7th season of the IPL. However the Mumbai team who have found a working combination without him have left him on the bench too often than not thus giving him a place in the IPL 08 Bench XI.
Darren Sammy
Another player benched by the Royal Challengers Bangalore which has one of the best squads in the whole league, Sammy who is an all-rounder and a good finisher did not have to use his game in this season as he couldn’t find a place in the starting XI ahead of the stars who lent balance to the squad. Sammy the ex skipper of the team from Caribbean is not used to the bench but in this season finds his place in the Bench XI of the IPL.
Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan who burst into the Indian team as a swing bowler gave some memorable moments for his nation with the ball but also had the ability to grind out runs. Pathan is playing for the Chennai Super Kings team who seem to find the right mix of players very quickly. However Pathan was not a part of the plan and thus was benched for the whole of the season giving him a spot in this XI
Samuel Badree
It is not easy for a spinner to bowl economically in the T20 format but Badree who boasts an economy rate of around 5 in international cricket is a huge asset to any team he plays for. However the CSK team management had other ideas. Badree was not given a single game in this season of the IPL and was left to warm the benches finding him a spot in the Bench XI of the IPL season 8
KC Cariappa
A domestic Indian player who went for 2.4 crores in the auction, Cariappa was never given a chance to prove his price tag. Cariappa is known to operate with a bit of mystery giving the batsmen no chance to get under him. However a struggling KKR this season could not gamble with a new player and left him on the bench for all the season.
Pragyan Ojha
A Mumbai Indian’s player and left arm spinner, Pragyan Ojha who would has been bowling alongside Harbhajan Singh in the previous season played only 2 matches in this seasons IPL. The Mumbai Indian’s who have had a great resurgence after a very poor start to the tournament found the right combination and went on to lift the trophy. Ojha was just happy to be a part of the squad but couldn’t contribute much thus finding his place in this XI.
Thought there is no shortage of talent in any of these players, the rules in the IPL have made them mere spectators. Let’s hope they get their chance to show their talent in the future.