3 players who don't deserve a place in the Playing XI in their IPL teams 

The battle for a spot in the playoffs has tightened as all teams have started to fire on all cylinders. Most IPL teams have figured out their playing XI and the areas in which they need to work to win more matches.

It is extremely important for the teams to have players who are in top form, who can win matches for their side at crucial moments. However, there are players who have been awfully out of form and are still getting picked in the playing XI by their respective teams.

It will be interesting to see how long teams persist with these players. Here, we take a look at three such players who don't deserve a place in the playing XI.

#3 Kieron Pollard

Pollard has failed to score quick runs in the death overs

Mumbai Indians used their RTM card at the auction to retain Kieron Pollard for a whopping Rs. 5.4 crores. They had good reason to do it as well. The big Trinidadian has played numerous match-winning innings for the franchise and has been a crowd puller.

However, he has had a forgetful IPL season this time around. In the five matches that he has played this season, he has scored just 54 runs and has looked completely out of sorts.

Pollard's low strike-rate of 105.88 is a major reason for Mumbai Indians' inability to score quick runs in the death overs. With the likes of JP Duminy in the squad, it looks difficult for Pollard to hold his place in the Playing XI.

#2 Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat is the leader of Rajasthan Royals' bowling attack

One of the biggest let-downs of the season has been Jaydev Unadkat. Unadkat was the most expensive Indian player at the auction as he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a jaw-dropping Rs. 11.5 crores. But his performances have been below par.

In the six matches that Unadkat has played till now, he has taken just three wickets, while giving away runs at a high economy of 10.05 runs per over.

Even though the Royals do not have many options in the pace department, Unadkat can be replaced by Anureet Singh, who is an experienced T20 bowler. The tall left-arm seamer did bowl well in Royals' last match against Mumbai Indians, but a much better show is desirable.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh's poor run of form has continued

Yuvraj Singh is one of the most followed cricketers in India. He has a huge fan following and considering his stardom, he was bought by Kings XI Punjab at his base price of Rs. 2 crores. Unfortunately, his performance in the IPL has been disappointing, to say the least.

The southpaw has scored a meagre 50 runs in the 6 matches that he has played for the franchise this season. Rather than the amount of runs, it is his low strike-rate of 89.28 that is a big cause for concern for the team management.

With proven domestic batsmen like Manoj Tiwary and Akshdeep Nath waiting in the dugout, a couple of poor outings can cost Yuvraj his place in the side.