3 Players who were underutilised their IPL teams in IPL 2018

The IPL auction last season proved a surprise for many as they watched their stars and icons get shuffled around while few stayed rooted with their side. While most of the transfers were made in the interest of the team, not many of them proved to be fruitful. There were also few players who could have made a big difference if they had been given ample opportunities and were underutilised by their IPL teams last season.

Here are 3 players whose talents were underutilised by their side in IPL 2018.

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#3 Heinrich Klaasen ( Rajasthan Royals)

Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen rose to fame after he scored 69 runs off 30 balls in a T20 game against India in Centurion during India's tour of South Africa 2018. Klaasen has a strike rate of 158 and can open the batting or slot in at number 4 and 5 and a very safe keeper and a prolific run scorer. Klaasen was signed by the Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for banned Aussie captain Steve Smith.

Klaasen was given only 4 opportunities by the Rajasthan side and scored 58 runs. He batted at positions at which he wasn't used to and wasn't able to make much of an impact. The South African has scored 525 runs in 13 innings batting at number 4 averaging 65.62 and has scored at a strike rate of 154. Keeping this in mind, he was given only 1 chance to play at number 4 and he remained not out on 18 runs off 10 balls.

He could have been accommodated in this side instead of someone like D'arcy Short who struggled to score runs. With Jos Buttler and Rahane opening the batting and Samson covering up, Klaasen could've been a game changer for Rajasthan and could've scored a lot of runs batting ahead of Ben Stokes.

#2 - Colin De Grandhomme ( Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Colin De Grandhomme

Colin De Grandhomme was signed by the RCB last season for INR 2.2 Crore. He played 9 matches for RCB last season scoring 131 runs in 8 innings averaging 29.02 and scored at a strike rate of 155.95. He was hailed as a T20 specialist and big hitter and has certainly lived up to expectations.

The Kiwi has scored 2744 runs in 126 T20 innings at an average of 28.92 and a strike rate of 167 which is phenomenal. He recently made his entry into test match cricket scoring 537 runs in 10 matches.

He often had to pay the price for RCB's constant team rotation in search of a death bowler and lost his place to players like Tim Southee and Corey Anderson. He could've batted after Kohli and ABD at number 5 instead of Mandeep Singh who failed to shine last season. He has scored 1259 runs in 56 innings batting at number 5 and averages 32.04 with a strike rate of 169 which can strike fear in the hearts of any opposition.

RCB's middle order struggle and the over-dependence on Kohli and ABD would certainly have reduced had Colin been given more chances to bat at number 5. In the only instance in which he played in that position, he scored a quick fire 40 runs at a strike rate of 235 which is staggering. RCB might have benefited having Colin as a top 5 batsman but they failed to harness his big hitting abilities and turn them into runs for the team.

#1- David Miller ( Kings XI Punjab)

David Miller

David Miller has been with the Kings XI Punjab since 2012 and has scored the second most number of runs for the side after Shaun Marsh. He has proved to be one of the most lethal T20 players capable of striking the ball a long way. He was bought back by the Kings XI Punjab for INR 3 crore using their Right To Match card but was given only 3 opportunities to play last season.

Miller has scored 1637 runs for Kings XI in 66 innings averaging 36.06 and scored at a strike rate of 142.03. He had cemented his place in the side, especially the number 5 spot in which he has scored 1004 runs averaging 43.65 and scored at a strike rate of 149. In IPL 2018, Kings XI Punjab under Ashwin's captaincy decided to bench Miller for most of the games in a zealous bid to accommodate players like Finch, Gayle and Marcus Stoinis.

While Finch scored just 134 runs in 10 games and Stoinis scored 99 runs in 7 matches, Miller scored 74 runs in 3 matches averaging 37. Kings XI struggled to score runs in the middle order and could've made a wise decision to bench the struggling Aussies Finch and Stoinis and bring Miller in. He could've brought stability as well as power to this Kings XI side and reduce their over-dependence on Rahul. He is an excellent fielder and could have supported the side in that way as well and Punjab's decision to not use him turned out to be a blunder on their side.

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