Best benched XI of IPL 2015

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), there has never been any shortage of star power as there are players recruited from all around the globe. As a result, many players who otherwise would deserve a chance are forced to miss out.Here, we present to you a list of players who have done well in the past in the IPL but are yet to be picked in the playing XI for their respective teams this season:Note: The rule of having no more than 4 overseas players in a playing XI has been considered.

#1 Michael Hussey (CSK)

Michael Hussey has been one of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) most consistent performers over the years. After playing for CSK from 2008 to 2013, the legendary Australian batsman was picked up by Mumbai Indians (MI). However, after a moderate season, he has now returned to the franchise where he made his name as far as the IPL is concerned.

Hussey, who became the second batsman to score a century in the IPL after Brendon McCullum when he made 116 against Kings XI Punjab in 2008, was monumental in CSK winning the IPL in 2010 and 2011 as well as the CLT20 in 2010.

Apart from his cricketing ability, his work ethics and willingness to contribute to the team’s cause have made him the ideal role model for the younger players to follow.

#2 Manan Vohra (KXIP)

Young openerManan Vohrawas recruited by the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) ahead of the 2013 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL)in which he scored 161 runs from 12 games. He was surprisinglyretained by KXIP for the2014 season, and he proved his worth big time by scoring 324 runs in the 8 matches that he played.

Vohra, who did really well last season, has unfortunately missed out on being part of the playing XI this season as KXIPs new recruit Murali Vijay has been chosen to play ahead of him, opening the innings with Virender Sehwag.

#3 Shaun Marsh (KXIP)

The left-handed openerShaun Marshcame into prominence after opening the innings for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and winning the Orange Capin IPL 2008.Despite missing IPL 2009 and a part of the tournament in 2010, Marsh continues to be an integral part of the Punjab franchise. He is one international player who has benefitted immensely from the IPL.

KXIP decided to retain him at the end of the third season when all the teams were revamped. Marshis the leading run-getter for KXIP with 1973runs from 52 games and has an average of 43.84. The fact that Marsh is currently missing from the playing XI only goes to show the tremendous strength in depth that KXIP have amongst their overseas players in particular.

#4 Lendl Simmons (MI)

The West Indian batsmanwas drafted into theMumbai Indians (MI)squad last seasonas a replacement forMadhya Pradesh all-rounder Jalaj Saxena. He made an immediate impact as an opener as he scored a whopping 394 runs in the 8 games that he played for MI.

Simmons played a key role in helping MI reach the knockout stages last season. Heis an excellent fielder,an occasional wicketkeeper and can bowl seam up as well. In this season of the IPL, he is yet to play a game as Aaron Finch, who is a new recruit, has been preferred to him. However, with Finch likely to be ruled out of the rest of the IPL after suffering a hamstring injury in the last match, Simmons might get a look in.

#5 Subramaniam Badrinath (RCB)

The experiencedSubramaniam Badrinath waswith the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the first 6 seasons of the IPL.A capable batsman in his own right, Badrinath was often entrusted with the responsibility of rescuing the team when they were in trouble. Despite performing admirably for them, he went unsold in last years auctions.

This time around, heis playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and his experience is likely to come in handy for the team if given an opportunity.

#6 Manvinder Bisla (RCB)

ManvinderBisla, an aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman by nature, played for KXIP and KKRbefore beingpicked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) this season. Although Bislas IPL career began playing for KXIP, it was with the Knight Riders that he really came to the fore. His stunning innings of 89 off just 48 balls to clinch the Man-of-the-Match award in the IPL 2012 final which KKR went on to win is perhaps among the best innings in IPL history.

Bislawould be itching to get into RCBs playing XI as his aggressive batting style might just help them down the order in case the likes of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers fail.

#7 Rajat Bhatia (RR)

Rajat Bhatia has been one of the most underrated cricketers in IPLs history. Having played for Delhi Daredevils (DD) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) previously, Bhatia moved to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) last season and had a decent season as he took 12 wickets from 12 matches at an economy under 8.

Although RR are doing quite well currently without Bhatia, his experience and ability to read the game is likely to come in handy for the Royals at some stage in the season.

#8 Dale Steyn (SRH)

Dale Steyn is arguably the best fast bowler of this generation, illustrated by the fact that he has picked up a colossal 396 wickets from78 Test matches. As far as the IPL is concerned, however, he has not always been at his best. After playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the first 3 seasons, he was signed by the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. He currently plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as a result of the Chargers being terminated.

After having been a regular for SRH in the past two seasons, hehas unfortunately not played a game yet this season owing to the presence of Trent Boult who had a great World Cup recently.

#9 Iqbal Abdulla (RCB)

Anall-rounder by trade, Iqbal Abdullawon the Emerging Player of the Year award for his performance in IPL2011 when he bagged 16 wickets.

The spinner played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) until the 2013 season and then moved to Rajasthan Royals in 2014. This season, he is a part of RCBs squad but is yet to feature with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal assuming the mantle of being the sides premier spinner.

#10 Ashok Dinda (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) pacer Ashok Dinda can perhaps be faulted for his tendency to leaktoo many runs too often with the ball, but what one cannot fault him for is the effort that he puts in each time he takes the field. Blessed with the ability to swing the ball away from the right-hander at a brisk pace, he needs to strive for more control in his bowling in order to attain success at the top level.

If he can do so in the imminent future, he just might still play a key role for the RCB this season.

#11 Rahul Sharma (CSK)

The IPL has had its fair share of cynics over the years due to the numerous controversies that have engulfed it since its inception, but it has also done a huge favour to a number of Indian cricketers.

Leg-spinner Rahul Sharma is certainly one cricketer who can vouch to have benefitted from the IPL. After all, he made it to the Indian team entirely on the back of his IPL performances. A bowler in the mould of Anil Kumble, Rahul began his IPL career with the Deccan Chargers before signing for the Pune Warriors ahead of IPL 2011, where he performed very well by taking 16 wickets in 14 games. He has fallen by the wayside since then, though, with him having been in the headlines in recent times more for his off-field indiscretions than on-field performance.

Under the guidance of captain MS Dhoni at CSK this season, however, he can hopefully make significant strides in his game and perhaps push for an India recall in the near future.