IPL 2018: 5 T20 specialists who have played less than 2 matches in this year's IPL

Out of the many players who show interest to participate in the IPL, only a chosen few get an opportunity. As usual, this year too there is a mix of experienced campaigners like Watson, Gayle etc. and youngsters like Zadran, Sandeep Lamichane, etc. The captains along with the team management decide if they want to go for "horses for courses" policy or go with a settled combination. Depending on that choice, some players get a lot of opportunities while others have to warm the benches.

In this year's IPL injuries to many main players meant that a lot of foreign players got an opportunity to play for their respective franchises. In spite of that, there are a few players who hardly got matches to play. Here is the list of T20 specialist who have hardly played any games this season.

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#5 Mark Wood

Mark Wood

Unfortunately, the fast bowler from England featured in just one match in his first season in IPL. It was majorly due to the playing conditions that he was not chosen. Imran Tahir was preferred as the pitches in the sub-continent aid spinners. When there were flat surfaces, CSK preferred to have an extra batsman in the form of Sam Billings to beef up their middle order. The fast bowler from England is known for his pace and, he constantly bowls at speeds over 140kmph. Mark Wood was one of the few foreigners who went at a relatively low price during the auctions. CSK snapped him at his base price of 1.50 crores.

He has played just one match, making his debut against Mumbai Indians. He had a forgettable outing as he went for 49 runs and did not pick up any wicket.

#4 Akhila Dhananjaya

The SriLankan spinner

Akhila Dananjaya became famous after he picked up 6 wickets in an ODI against India last year. During the auction, Mumbai Indians picked him up at his base price of 50 lakhs.

In this year's IPL, Akhila Dananjaya is the only Sri Lankan to play for any franchise. With Mumbai Indians having very few Spinners in their squad, it was widely believed that he would feature in most of the matches. Mayank Markande's performances in his debut season ensured that he grabbed the position of the lead spinner for the Rohit Sharma led team.

He made his debut against Delhi Daredevils and was taken to the cleaners by Jason Roy. He returned with figures of 4-0-47-1.

#3 Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi was the former captain of the Afghanistan cricket team. He is a bowling all-rounder who was picked up by SRH in this year's auction. For Afghanistan, he has been one of their core players as his all-round game has helped the team to notch up some famous wins against the fancied opposition.

In the IPL, he made his debut against Mumbai Indians. His variations and accuracy troubled the Mumbai batsmen during the powerplay. He played a pivotal role to help SRH defend a low score of 118. In that match, he finished with figures of 3-0-23-1.

In spite of having a decent start to his IPL career, he has just played two matches in the IPL so far. With SRH not meddling with their winning combination, it is highly unlikely that we will see more of Nabi in this year's IPL.

#2 Junior Dala

Junior Dala

Junior Dala has emerged as one of the exciting fast bowling talents in the world. After Chris Morris was sidelined from the IPL due to an injury, the management of Delhi Daredevils roped in Junior Dala as his replacement.

The young South African got limited opportunities as Trent Boult staked his place in the team with good performances. After Delhi was out of contention for the playoffs, Junior Dala was finally given an opportunity to play against RCB at the expense of Glen Maxwell.

He had a poor first match as Kohli took him to the cleaners and garnered 17 runs off his first over. He did not pick up any wicket and went for 34 runs in 3 overs.

#1 David Miller

Killer Miller has been on the bench in this year's IPL

David Miller is one of the most destructive T20 batsmen in the world and has excelled in the role of a finisher in the limited overs format for South Africa. When it comes to playing in the IPL; he has scored 1613 runs at an average of 35.84 in 68 matches and that too at a strike rate of 140.

The South African is known for his big hitting abilities and is a treat to watch when he is in full flow. His innings of 101 in less than 40 balls(IPL 2013) is still remembered vividly. On more than one occasion in the past, he has turned around the match from precarious situations and helped Punjab win.

The stylish left-hander disappointed in last year’s edition of the IPL where he scored only 161 runs in 14 matches at an average of 16.10. Cut back to this year's IPL, with the likes of Gayle, Mujeeb, and Tye on song, it has become difficult for Miller to crack the playing XI. He has just played two matches and did not have any impact for the Punjab side.