The IPL 2022 league stage is into its second half, with all the 10 franchises having played at least 7 matches each.
The two most decorated and successful teams in the IPL history – Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians – have shockingly struggled, with the latter virtually eliminated from the playoff race, and are languishing at the bottom. And the two new franchises – Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans – are having the desired time, sitting in the upper half of the points table, in IPL 2022.
There have been a number of youngsters and not so high-profile cricketers who have performed well and contributed to their team’s success. On the other hand, some big-name players have disappointed with their display on the field, in IPL 2022.
Here are 5 big-name players who have struggled so far in IPL 2022:
The Mumbai Indians captain is having his worst ever IPL season, individually and team-wise. As MI have gone winless in their 8 matches, runs have dried up from Sharma’s bat: he’s scored 153 runs in 8 innings at an average of 19.12, strike rate of 126, and best of 41; even Jaydev Unadkat has a better average, 19.66, that Sharma, who has got good starts in 4 matches but has failed to convert it into a big one.
Virat Kohli
Another giant of IPL and Indian cricket, Virat Kohli is having a horrendous time recently. Kohli started off his season on a promising note with 41* vs PBKS and then 48 vs MI, but has been horrible in the last four innings, registering scores of 1, 12, 0, 0.
In 8 innings, Virat Kohli has managed only 119 runs, at an average of 17 (this is Kohli’s worst season average since 2008 when he averaged 15); he’s failed to hit even a single half-century yet. Among RCB batters, only young Anuj Rawat has a worse average than Kohli for those who have batted in at least 5 innings.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
The Orange Cap winner of last season, Ruturaj Gaikwad, has struggled to pick up form this season; the lack of runs from Gaikwad at the top has been one of the chief reasons for CSK’s bottom table position.
The opener has scored only 108 runs in 7 matches at an average of 15.42. He has had only one good knock – 73 vs Titans, rest he has recorded four single-digit scores and scores of 16 and 17.
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan, who is now a regular in the Indian T20I squad as well, started off the season in a blazing fashion, smashing 81* and 53 in the first two innings, however, that form has now tapered away.
Since the third game, his scores read: 14, 26, 3, 13, 0, 8. What’s been more shocking, and concerning has been his strike rate of 68! That’s very low from a batter who’s known for his attacking instincts and aggressive style of play; that’s certainly low from what MI would have expected from him, and head coach Mahela Jayawardene let Kishan know that publicly after the loss to LSG. So far, he has scored 199 runs at a strike rate of 108.
Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard recently announced his retirement from international cricket as the all-rounder wishes to further his franchise league career. This season, however, the Pollard that has been MI’s bank in the lower order hasn’t turned up yet.
Pollard is averaging just 16.42 with the bat in 8 innings, having scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 127 – this is Pollard’s lowest season strike rate since 2011! His inability this year to close out run chases has hurt MI largely who have often relied on him to do the heavy hitting in the past.
