IPL 2020 is set to kickstart in a few weeks. There have been a few players who have been able to outshine everyone in IPL and made a name for themselves. But there have been a few players who have not been able to exploit their opportunities despite repeated chances in this tournament. Cricwizz takes a look at IPL XI of biggest flops -
Openers
Mayank Agarwal
The Indian Test opener has not set the stage on fire in the IPL despite numerous opportunities. He was given a golden chance on a platter when he was asked to open for Kings XI Punjab in the 2018 IPL, but could manage just 120 runs at 12.00 average in 11 matches. In the next IPL, he had a better show with 332 runs at 25.33 average with 2 fifties, but it is not enough for a top-order batsman.
Ricky Ponting (opener-cum-captain)
He has been a great captain for Australia, winning two ICC World Cups. In IPL, however, he has been a big flop, both as a player and captain. He first played for IPL in 2008, when he could just feature in four games for KKR. In 2013 IPL, however, he was handed the captaincy, but poor form saw him collect just 52 runs from six games and it forced him to make way for Rohit Sharma as skipper. Rohit went on to lead Mumbai to maiden IPL title that season.
Middle-order
Saurabh Tiwary
He was part of the XI when Mumbai Indians lost the 2010 IPL final to CSK. He had a good season, aggregating 419 runs at 29.92 average with three fifties in 16 matches, however, he lost his way after that, playing for three more IPL teams and six seasons, with just four more fifties. He last played IPL in 2017 for Mumbai.
Misbah-ul-Haq
Yes, Pakistan players did play in IPL, but only in the first edition before they were banned due to the tension between India and Pakistan. Misbah-ul-Haq played for RCB in IPL 2008, but could manage just 117 runs at 16.71 average in eight matches.
Sarfaraz Khan
It’s still a surprise why RCB retained Sarfaraz Khan after a disastrous IPL 2017 season and released star players in KL Rahul, Shane Watson and Chris Gayle. He is yet to live up to his promise. In 33 IPL matches over four seasons, he has managed just 408 runs at 27.20 average with one fifty.
All-rounder
Deepak Hooda
He was tipped the all-rounder of the future, but his performances have been sporadic and few and far between. SRH, however, has high regard for him, but his bowling and batting figures have flattered to deceive. In 61 IPL matches, he has 524 runs at 14.55 average with just one fifty, and seven wickets only.
Shreevats Goswami (keeper)
The keeper-batsman has been around since 2008 IPL but has not cemented his place in any team. He played for RCB, KKR, RR, and now SRH, but he has been mostly an unknown commodity till now because he has not lit up the stage with his batting or keeping. He has played 29 matches in six seasons, averaging 16.27 with one fifty.
Fast bowlers
Ishant Sharma
The tall Indian pacer has been the leading Test bowler for India now. He has been almost sidelined from limited-overs cricket and IPL as well. His IPL form didn’t inspire much confidence and franchisees have stayed away from bidding on him. He went unsold in 2018 IPL. But Delhi Capitals gambled on him in 2019 IPL. He took 13 wickets in 13 matches in 2019 IPL. Overall, he has taken 72 wickets in 89 IPL matches.
Irfan Pathan
The all-rounder was considered a long-term prospect across all formats of cricket. In a bid to become all-rounder, however, he lost his pace and primary skill of getting the ball into the right-hander. His batting too suffered greatly, and he was discarded from all forms of cricket, including IPL. He has scored 1139 runs and taken 80 wickets in 103 matches.
Glenn Mcgrath
Who thought a great bowler like McGrath has had to sit out for an entire IPL campaign, waiting for his chance that never came in 2009 IPL for Delhi Daredevils. He although did well in the previous season, taking 12 wickets in 12 games.
Spinner
Pravin Tambe
It’s a surprise a 48-year-old cricketer, who has not much of a great record in IPL, was chosen to play in this IPL season. Tambe has only luck to thank for, but his luck ran out soon as he was disqualified from playing IPL T20 as he played an overseas league, against the rules of BCCI. He has managed 28 wickets in 33 IPL matches.
Cover picture credits - CricketCirlce
