IPL: 7 Big Names Who Are Likely To Be Released By Their Franchise After This Season
May 21, 2017 at 1:20 PM
As we are heading towards the end of this year’s Indian Premier League, one question that is viciously doing the rounds across the country is whether the franchises will have to release all their players or they will be allowed to retain few players just like the 2014 auction when the governing body had allowed the franchises to retain five players (either capped or uncapped, no more than four of whom may be capped Indians) who were in its squad in 2013.
As of now, nothing official has come out from the governing body but speculations are rife that the 2018 players auction will be the biggest IPL auction yet, perhaps even longer the 2014 one which went for two days.
Only time will tell about how the next auction pans out but one thing is sure that several big names will go under the hammer. So here we are taking a look at 7 players who we might see in the auction ahead of the eleventh edition of the league.
7. Dwayne Smith:
The West Indian all-rounder has been one of the most useful players in the shortest format of the game. His aggressive batting and the knack to provide crucial breakthroughs with his medium pace makes him an asset for any captain in T20 cricket. However, the former West Indies star has struggled to keep up the tempo in recent months and his struggle in this season of the Indian Premier League proves it. He hardly made any major contribution this season as Gujarat Lions bowed out of the tournament with just 4 wins. He managed to score only 239 runs at a modest average of 21 .72 and picked up just a couple of wickets.
6. Yusuf Pathan:
The Baroda batsman, who made a name for himself with his exploits in the initial years of the IPL, has not lived up to the expectations in the last few seasons. Barring some occasional knocks, he has largely struggled to perform on a consistent basis ever since being signed by Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011. And the way he performed this season, he is more or less destined to be released by the team ahead of the next season. He managed to score only 143 runs in 15 matches before being dropped from the team for the second qualifier against Mumbai Indians.
5. Harbhajan Singh:
The veteran spinner is also likely to be in the next year’s auction after a forgettable tenth season with Mumbai Indians. The 35-year-old has been dropped from the Mumbai Indians playing XI several times this season- a clear indication that the team does not rate him highly anymore. In 11 matches that he played this season, he managed to pick up only 8 wickets but had an impressive economy-rate of 6.48. However, the team management proffered Karn Sharma ahead of him and the Punjab star is likely to be released after this season.
4. Yuvraj Singh:
While there is no denying that Yuvraj is one of the best limited-overs player of all time not only for the country but also in the game but he has rarely managed to replicate his form of international cricket in the IPL. His inconsistent performances continued this season too as he managed to score only 252 runs in 12 outings. Moreover, he will be 36-years old when the next auction will take place and his reflexes are likely to slow down. In such a scenario, he is more or less destined to find himself in the 2018 players’ auction.
3. Lasith Malinga:
The highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL, the ageing Sri Lanka pacer has been a vital cog in Mumbai Indians’ wheel ever since making his debut in 2009. However, injuries has plagued his career in the last couple of years and the way, he was dropped this year from the playing XI on more than occasion, it is a big indication that the Mumbai-based outfit is prepared for life after Malinga. The 33-year old pacer has picked up 11 wickets in as many matches this season.
2. Shane Watson:
The Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder is looking very likely to be released by his franchise ahead of the upcoming season. One of the finest all-rounders to grace this tournament, the former Australia star struggled to do well throughout the season and was consequently dropped from the playing XI on several occasions. In 8 matches this season, he managed only 71 runs in addition to picking up 5 wickets. Moreover, the fact that he has already retired from international cricket is likely to work against him and the Bangalore-based team is quite unlikely to retain him.
1. Chris Gayle:
Arguably the greatest T20 batsman of all time, Gayle is likely to be released by his team. The West Indian looked out of form throughout the season and batting the 38-ball 77 runs knock against Gujarat Lions which made him the first batsman to bring up 10,000 T20 runs, he failed to make any significant contribution in a disastrous season for Royal Challenger Bangalore as they finished at the last position. Overall, he managed to score just 200 runs in 9 matches. Moreover, at 37, the age is also not on his side and there is a big chance that he will be released by the Royal Challengers next season.