5 benched IPL foreigners who deserve a place in the playing XI

IPL is one of the biggest leagues on the planet, the reasons for it being multiple. For the average fan, the wholesome entertainment that it provides is a game-changer, as is the case for the average domestic cricketers, who gets hauled into a different league and get to play alongside stars they have grown up watching. As for the experienced customers, there's the big money that lures them into playing one of the most sought-after leagues in the world.

We publish a list of five players who still haven't got a chance to play for their IPL franchises this year, despite being in the squad.

#5 Carlos Brathwaite - Sunrisers Hyderabad

“I spoke with coach Tom Moody and he was honest with me. He said my position in the squad is of a rotational player, and I will have to be patient for opportunities”.

Brathwaite is an honest man, and knows that he might have to warm the benches for the longest time for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, especially with the team doing well under Kane Williamson.

However, the West Indian can really be an impact player when the need arises, as he showed in the World T20 finals in 2016. All he needs is backing.

He's been on the receiving end of such a situation before: he played a combined 10 games for the Delhi Daredevils across two season, but his fiery batting and crafty bowling is an asset that cannot be completely left out.

#4 David Willey - Chennai Super Kings

David Willey

The Chennai Super Kings were dealt a super blow when Kedar Jadhav clutched his hamstring and walked out of the park in the season opener against the Mumbai Indians. He heroically scored a boundary in the last over, but was ruled out for the entire season, replaced by England's David Willey.

The 28-year-old all-rounder has been an asset for the England team, with his ability to bowl pace and use the long handle to great effect. He can also open the innings.

He's got two T20 centuries and close to 150 wickets off his left-arm pace.

#3 Sandeep Lamichhane - Delhi Daredevils

Lamichhane is rated highly by Michael Clarke

Nepal doesn't exactly fall on the cricketing map, but that hasn't stopped the 2000-born Sandeep Lamichhane to chalk his own path.

Part of the Delhi Daredevils, a side that has had an abysmal season, Lamichhane has been left out of the playing XI, with the side sticking to the leg spin of the uncapped Rahul Tewatia, along with veteran Amit Mishra.

With no results showing, and a changed captain in place, the side could actually try out him, with their ship already sinking with the current team. To slot in Lamichhane, they would have to bench either Liam Plunkett or the misfiring Glenn Maxwell.

#2 Cameron Delport - Kolkata Knight Riders

Cameron Delport

Not many will remember, but Delport rose to prominence during one of his whirlwind knocks while opening for the Dolphins against the Chennai Super Kings in the Champions League T20 in 2014. His 9-ball 34 was enough to show what he is capable of, and he had, at that point, showed interest in bagging an IPL contract.

His credentials in T20s cannot be undermined: The 28-year-old has three T20 centuries to his name and scores at a strike-rate of close to 140, and also bowls medium pace, having picked up 48 wickets at an economy of 7.65.

His dynamic batting and useful bowling could provide the Knight Riders with another option, especially after Mitchell Johnson's expensive spell in the last game.

#1 Moeen Ali - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Moeen Ali still hasn't played a game for RCB

He's not exactly the most sought-after T20 player around, but Moeen Ali knows his game well and can use it to good effect when he wants to. The left-hander, solid in Tests, can score at a fair clip in limited overs cricket, striking the ball at the rate of 130 in T20s.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have been struggling with problems of their own, so much so that an all-rounder like Colin de Grandhomme is in the playing XI but is not being given overs to bowl. The middle-order, inexperienced and out of balance, caves in at regular intervals, and in such a scenario, the stability of Ali can be brought to the fore.

With RCB top-heavy, the experience of Ali in the middle-order can be a soothing effect, and wily off-spin can be used to quieten the opposition batsmen in the middle-overs.