IPL means pure entertainment for the cricket fans and for the players as well. It is the most famous and attractive cricket tournament in the world. It has got great support of all cricket fans in India and outside India as well. IPL has turned out to be one of the biggest and widely celebrated festivals in India. But despite it being so famous and attractive it can be cruel at times as we have already witnessed over the years. Franchises do heavily depend on their marque players for winning the title. Here we bring you the list of the players who came into the tournament with huge expectations from their fans but they have not been able to fulfil their fan’s expectations and have thus under performed. Here is the worst playing XI from this season of the IPL.
TOP ORDER
Chris Gayle: – Chris Gayle hasn’t come into his own this season, he has failed miserably at the top of the order. His failure to score quick runs at the top of the order is one of the main reason for RCB’S position at the bottom of the table with only 5 points. Apart from only innings in which he scored 77 runs, Gayle has failed completely to justify himself as the most explosive batsman in world cricket. He has scored only 152 runs in 8 matches at an average of 19.00 and a strike rate of 121.60.
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Ajinkya Rahane: – The former Rajasthan Royals opener was expected to lead his new franchise RPS from the front. He was in great touch in the last edition of the IPL where he scored 480 runs at an average of 43.63, But somehow, he has not been able to convert the starts into big innings this season. He has looked clueless at times. He has scored 248 runs in 13 matches for RPS at an average of 19.07 and has scored only one half century. If RPS are to qualify for the next round and if they aim to challenge for the IPL trophy then they surely need him to fire.
Virat Kohli: – The aggressive Indian captain who has elevated himself up the order to open the innings for his franchise has had many successful run with the bat in the past editions of IPL. The kind of form he was in during the whole year he was expected to win the IPL trophy for his franchise this year. Though he has scored three half centuries this season so far, he has failed as a leader to guide his team to victories. This is the worst season ever for RCB as they sit at the bottom of the points table with only 2 wins to their name. He has scored 250 runs in 9 matches at an average of 27.77 with a strike rate of 120.77.
MIDDLE ORDER
Shane Watson: – The mighty former Aussie all-rounder who is known for his powerful hitting and economical bowling hasn’t lived up to expectations at all. He himself has admitted that this is his worst IPL season ever. He has scored only 67 runs in 7 matches at an average of 11.16. Similarly, his bowling figures have also been disappointing as he has taken only 4 wickets with his economy being on the higher side 10.02.
AB de Villiers: – Popularly known as 360° player who can score in any part of the ground. He has been at his best in the past editions of IPL, but this time he has failed to contribute with the bat at all. He is unstoppable when he is at his peak. He can score as quickly as anyone in the world cricket. He has scored only 216 runs in the 9 matches that he has played at an average of 27.
Naman Ojha: – The SRH wicket keeper batsman who has potential of being a great finisher and can hit big shots whenever needed has underperformed in this edition of IPL. He has scored just 63 runs in 12 matches at an average of 21.00 with a strike rate of 128.57 which is quite low in the shortest format of the game.
Dwayne Smith: – The West Indian all-rounder who is one of best power hitters in the modern-day game especially in the shorter formats has so far failed to impress. His franchise already has some of the best powerful hitters like Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch in their squad who have also failed to fire. He has scored just 185 runs in 11 matches that he has played so far, at an average of 18.50.
ALL ROUNDERS
Yusuf Pathan: – The Indian all-rounder who usually loves scoring quick runs and playing big shots has been a major disappointment for KKR. Though the franchise is nearing the qualification for the play-offs thanks to a bunch of top order players who are in fine form, they still lack a powerful finisher who can win them games in the end. If KKR wants progress further they need this big man to stand up. He has scored only 123 runs in 13 matches at an average of 20.59.
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Ravindra Jadeja: – The Indian all-rounder who has had a great success on national duty has been off colour so far in this 10th edition of IPL. Though he had a very busy schedule of cricket round the year he decided to play for his franchise. But this hectic schedule seems to have taken a toll of him as he has not performed as per his standards. He has failed to contribute with both bat and bowl as he has very poor stats to his name. He has scored only 138 runs in 11 matches at an average of 34.50 and has taken only 5 wickets and giving away a total of 330 runs in 210 bowls that he has bowled so far. His economy has also been 9.42.
BOWLERS
Amit Mishra: – This IPL has been very poor for the DD leg spinner as he has not yet been as good as he would have liked. He has taken only 10 wickets in 13 matches so far which doesn’t justify his potential. His economy has also been high 8.60 runs per over.
Lasith Malinga: – He is also popularly known as Slinga Malinga because of his bowling action. He is known for his ability to take consecutive wickets, with in-swinging deadly and toe-crusher yorkers. He is considered as one of the greatest fast bowlers to ever play the game of cricket. But he has not been able to do what he is known for. He has not been able to pick up wickets for his franchise MI at all. He has picked up only 9 wickets in 9 matches that he has played so far. His economy which is 9.50 this season is the highest economy in his whole IPL career. And it is the lowest wickets tally that he has picked up in his whole IPL career so far. If MI want to win the IPL this year then they need their Spearhead to give his best performance in the remaining matches and in play-offs as well.
