10 cricketers who should be released by their IPL teams

The recently concluded IPL-2015 encountered a rather one-sided final with giant killers, ‘Mumbai Indians’, after a sluggish start, going on to crush two-time champions and tournament favourites, ‘Chennai Super Kings’. The cash-rich league is never devoid of controversies and the latest one to hit is the change in retainment policy that is proposed, which could see the likes of M.S.Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir back in the auction scene in 2017. With teams getting more cautious about their expenditure and the failure of many notable players, franchises have to go back to the drawing board. Here is a list of cricketers who need to be released by their IPL teams:

1.Yuvraj Singh - Delhi Daredevils:

Can Dravid guide Yuvraj at RR?

Yuvraj Singh is arguably India’s first T20 specialist and helped India win the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. While he started the IPL as a marquee player for Punjab, consistency is something that has evaded him.

This season too, he did not live up to the record INR 16 crore price tag and with just 248 runs in 14 matches, his poor show in the middle order did not help Delhi Daredevils’ campaign. He could ideally move to a team like Rajasthan Royals and Dravid’s guidance could do wonders for his career. Either way, if DD would want to retain his services, they should release him and buy him back for a cheaper price.

2.Virender Sehwag - Kings XI Punjab:

Sehwag might have lost his touch

‘The Nawab Of Najafgarh’ was one of the most feared openers in his prime who could demolish any attack on his day. But a lacklustre season with Kings XI Punjab has created many question marks over his future. With just 99 runs at an average of 12.37, his dismal show did not help the team’s cause as they finished last in the group stages. With this, his hope of an India comeback is also shattered.

Punjab should ideally release him and invest on an youngster. As for Viru, a team like SRH can go for him since they are looking for an experienced Indian batsman in their middle order, and since Viru loves batting at number 4, this could well turn out to be ideal for both parties.

3.Irfan Pathan – Chennai Super Kings:

Moving back to DD could help Irfan

We all hoped that Irfan Pathan would play at least one match for Chennai Super Kings. An injury during the early stages of IPL and Nehra’s unexpected show hampered his chances.

Bought at INR 1.5 crore,it is a pity that this talented all-rounder warmed the benches throughout the season. With CSK not in favour of changing the lineup often, Irfan Pathan could shift to Delhi Daredevils or RCB who would be more than happy to have an Indian all-rounder.

4.Aaron Finch – Mumbai Indians:

Finch could warm the bench considering the form of Simmons

With Aaron Finch’s injury and four straight losses, nothing was going right for the Mumbai Indians. Bought for INR 3.2 crore, Finch could not contribute to Mumbai Indians’ remarkable turn-around.

Lendl Simmons and Parthiv Patel have grabbed their opportunities at the top of the order and have cemented their place in the team. With the team attaining a stable composition, they would ideally like to sell him so that they can use the cash on boosting some other department.

5.Manoj Tiwary – Delhi Daredevils:

Tiwary can move to a team like CSK

The major reason for Delhi Daredevils’ poor show were the lack of opportunities for their middle order batsmen and poor utilisation of resources. Manoj Tiwary was retained by Delhi after he was paid INR 2.8 crore. But, he got to bat only twice during the entire season and is visibly upset.

In some of his latest interviews, he says that with very limited opportunities, it is difficult to perform and earn a comeback to the national team. He would definitely want to put this season behind him and move to a team like the Chennai Super Kings who would want an ideal number 4 in their side so that they can instead bring in an overseas fast bowler instead of Faf du Plessis.

6.Pragyan Ojha – Mumbai Indians:

With Bhajji finding a new spin partner, time is running out for Ojha

Pragyan Ojha has always remained a first-choice for any franchise that he has played for. But, this time around, the tide has turned against him. Mumbai Indians had found their perfect T20 spinner in the form of Jagadeesha Suchith who can also strike some meaty blows whenever required.

Bought back by the Mumbai Indians at his base price of INR 50 Lakhs, Ojha would want to try his luck with teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad who could do with a quality spinner in their ranks (since they only have Karn Sharma now) and increase his value.

7.Dinesh Kartik – Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Karthik hasn’t done justice to his price tag

Bought at a whopping price of INR 10.5 crore, Dinesh Kartik did not do much with the bat to prove his worth and became the weak link in the rather strong RCB line up. While his keeping was among the best in the tournament, experts would expect him to do more than that.

With just 141 runs from 16 matches, he did not make use of his limited opportunities when RCB’s big trio failed. RCB would want to release him before the auctions and buy him for a lower price to increase their cash reserves as he is their first choice keeper.

8.Subramanium Badrinath – Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Badrinath has been warming the benches for RCB

Picked up for INR 30 lakhs by the RCB, this prolific run scorer would have been looking forward to this season. After having a good domestic season, he would have been raring to go. But, the team had other plans.

With young guns like Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan firing on all cylinders, RCB decided to give opportunities to their future prospects at the cost of Badrinath. His batting style might come in handy for a team like Kings XI Punjab which would need someone of his stature to complement its power hitters.

9.Mike Hussey – Chennai Super Kings:

Hussey might not be able to offer more to CSK

Though we would love to say that ‘age is just a number’, it is quite evident that Mike Hussey is not the Mr.Cricket we used to know. Having taken McCullum’s place for the knock-outs, the 40 year old veteran knows that he is not at his prime.

With many youngsters waiting in the wings to represent CSK and with McCullum’s imminent return next season, it will be difficult for Hussey to hold on to this place in the upcoming seasons. However,his services as a mentor or coach could be helpful for many franchisees.

10.Sean Abbott – Royal Challengers Bangalore:

With Starc’s presence, Abbott might not get a game in the future for RCB

Sean Abbott, infamous for the ball that caused the death of Phil Hughes, was bought for a price of INR 1 crore. He did not have the start he wanted for his IPL career and went wicketless in his two matches.

With Mitchell Starc continuing his amazing run from the ICC World Cup and David Wiese’s all-round skills, Abbott did not get any opportunities with the RCB franchise. A shift to a team like Kolkata Knight Riders who want a fast bowling all-rounder to complement (or as a back-up) Russell, would help him to get back on track.