The IPL is almost at its final stages and there have been some excellent matches with special innings by some of the best in the business. However, since only 11 players can feature in a team, a lot of the players have had to sit in the sidelines and wait for their chance. Here is a list of the benched 11 of talent in the IPL:
- Lendl Simmons:
Simmons has been a mainstay for Mumbai Indians for years but has had to sit by the side and wait for his chance this year. This was because of the presence of Jos Buttler. He did however grab the first opportunity he got and scored a half century when it presented itself.
- Usman Khawaja:
The Australian batsman was good for the RPS last year and was retained. He hasn’t featured this year however because of Steve Smith’s decision to play just one foreign batsman. Khawaja might feature for a couple of matches as RPS has qualified but he is too talented to be sitting on the bench.
- Faf Du Plessis:
The ace South African batsman has always been one of the players that people have looked forward to watching in the IPL. However, he has only featured in two matches this season, batting in one and scoring 8. He then had to leave for South Africa to prepare for the England tour.
- Ishank Jaggi:
A player who scored more than 1246 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Trophy, Ishank Jaggi was bought by KKR but is yet to feature in even a single game for the team. With a strike rate way over 120, it is surprising that he hasn’t got a chance to feature.
- Gurkeerat Mann:
The Punjab batsman has scored four fifties in five of his List-A matches and would have been expected to feature for the KXIP team. He hasn’t gotten too many chances however and has only featured twice for the team.
- Shakib Al Hasan:
One of the best all-rounders in the world, Shakib Al Hasan fell victim to the change of pace of the Eden Gardens pitch. The pitch became a fast-bowling track due to which Shakib has only featured once for the squad.
- Mohammad Nabi:
The Afghan bowler was purchased by the SRH squad but has not been able to feature much for them. He is an economical bowler and can strike them hard in the middle overs. They might feature him later on.
- Adam Zampa:
The RPS bowler has been quite the revelation when played but due to Smith’s decision to play just one spinner in Imran Tahir, he has missed out.
- Mustafizur Rahman:
One of the players who was instrumental in ensuring that SRH won the IPL in 2016, Rahman has hardly been able to feature for them this time round. He has played just 1 game for the team and has surprisingly not been used.
- Matt Henry:
Given KXIP’s lack of bowling resources, the missing Matt Henry is even more surprising. He may be a little expensive but has a great wicket taking ability.
- Tim Southee:
Even with an out of form Lasith Malinga, Tim Southee cannot get a sniff in the Mumbai Indians squad. He completes the final of the 11 talented players who have been benched this IPL.
By Rohit Nair
