Indian Premier League has truly integrated diverse nationalities to come together for a mega sporting event. The players have been lapped up by the franchises based on their needs. But still some of the key players found themselves warming the bench this whole season. Only 11 can take the field on a particular day and the teams in pursuit of finding a perfect combination failed to figure in these promising players. Let’s take a look at these 11 cricketers who have played two or less than two matches for their teams this season till now. So lets see who makes it into the IPL BENCHED XI for this season ?
TOP ORDER
1) Usman Khawaja
The Australian opener was roped in by Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 as a replacement due to injuries to Kevin Pietersen and Faf du Plessis. Owing to his brilliant form in Big Bash League for Sydney Thunders, he was retained by RPS for IPL 2017. But he couldn’t play even a single game as RPS found a perfect combination of overseas players in Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Daniel Christian and Imran Tahir. The impressive performance of Rahul Tripathi as an opener also meant that Khawaja remained at the sidelines.
2) Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis was in the thick of things for RPS in IPL 2016. But with all rounders Ben Stokes and Daniel Christian roped in, the South African batsman could only play two games this season. He batted in just one of them before leaving for national duty.
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3) Ishank Jaggi
An impressive domestic prospect, Ishank Jaggi was one of the few smart picks by KKR for just Rs 10 lakh. He was a prolific scorer in the Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand this season and is the leading scorer in the Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy with 1,246 runs at an average in excess of 34. But with KKR riding on some great wins this season, Jaggi hasn’t got even a single game so far.
MIDDLE ORDER
4) Saurabh Tiwary
Saurabh Tiwary is another example of dearth of opportunities for a probable talent. He made a brilliant start of his IPL career with Mumbai Indians. He was with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rising Pune Supergiants for a brief stint where he didn’t get much chances. This season he was roped in by Mumbai Indians again. The table toppers didn’t tinker too much with the winning combination. The rise of Pandya brothers and Nitish Rana meant that Saurabh Tiwary had to sit in the dugout for all their matches. In the 80 matches that he has played in the IPL, he has 1224 runs to his name at an average of over 27.
5) Shakib Al Hasan
One of the best all rounders in world cricket and the captain of Bangladesh T20 team, Shakib Al Hasan got a solitary game this season with KKR. Usually slow wicket of Eden Gardens has favoured the pacers this IPL and this meant that Colin de Grandhomme has been a regular in the playing XI for KKR. Shakib is arguably the best T20 player to be benched in IPL 2017.
6) Mohammad Nabi
Sunrisers Hyderabad picked up two relatively lesser known Afghanistan players in auction of IPL 2017. One of them, Rashid Khan has been the talk of the season so far and another one, Mohd. Nabi, the captain of Afghanistan national cricket team hasn’t got the opportunities he deserved. In the two games he has played so far, against KXIP and MI, he has impressed with his disciplined bowling effort. The exploits of Kane Williamson and Moises Henriques good showing with the bat has made Sunrisers bench him for the major part of the tournament.
7) Rishi Dhawan
One of the most well known faces in the Indian domestic circuit, Rishi Dhawan has been one of the consistent performers for Himachal Pradesh. Before being picked up this season by KKR for Rs 55 lakh, he was with MI and KXIP. He has played 26 IPL matches and scored 153 runs and taken 18 wickets. His IPL scores doesn’t speak of his immense talent with both bat and ball. But the confidence shown by Kolkata management in Yusuf Pathan meant that he has not taken the field for KKR till now.
BOWLERS
8) Pravin Tambe
One of the most popular IPL success stories, Pravin Tambe burst into the scene with Rajasthan Royals few years ago. The oldest player in IPL 2017, he was a regular for Rajasthan. Sunrisers Hyderabad haven’t included him in playing XI so far as another leg spinner, Rashid Khan has made waves with his intriguing googlies. Tambe has played 33 matches in his IPL career and has bagged 28 wickets.
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9) Mustafizur Rahman
One of the writers behind the successful script of Sunrisers Hyderabad title win in IPL 2016, Mustafizur Rahman has played just a single game for his side this year. He is the most surprising inclusion in this IPL benched XI. The impeccable form of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Siddarth Kaul’s wonderful figures resulted in Bangladeshi pacer failing to make cut in the playing XI.
10) Adam Zampa
The Australian leggie has failed to find a spot in the final playing XI of RPS except for two matches. Imran Tahir’s impressive performances with the ball has meant that the 25 year old Zampa hasn’t got the opportunity. He was one of the few bright points for Pune in 2016 in an otherwise disastrous season for them. In both the games that he has played this year, he has picked up a wicket.
11) Tim Southee
One of the most consistent performers for New Zealand, Tim Southee has got just two games in IPL 2017. Despite Lasith Malinga’s far from impressive performances with the ball, Mumbai Indians have clung onto him. Even when he was rested, Mitchell Johnson was given a chance ahead of Southee.
