IPL 2018: 5 replacements who have failed to perform

The 11th season of the IPL is in its final lap and teams have started to put their best foot forward. This edition of the league has provided fans with a lot of entertainment and some superb cricket.

The cricketers have given their all on the field and in the process, succumbed to injury meaning replacements have had to be roped in. Teams have been forced to make personnel changes which have resulted in a change of plans midway through the season.

While few replacements were able to perform well, most of them failed miserably. We look at 5 such players who were brought in as replacements but flattered to deceive:

#5 Junior Dala

Dala had a forgettable debut IPL match against RCB

Delhi Daredevils' campaign was rocked when Chris Morris was ruled out of the season midway. To compensate for Morris' loss, Daredevils signed fellow South African Junior Dala. Dala had impressed everyone with his pace in the T20 series against India just before the IPL but, unfortunately, was unable to showcase that it in the marquee T20 league.

After waiting in the wings for a long time he finally got his opportunity against RCB. The pacer was taken to the cleaners and gave away 34 runs in the 3 overs that he bowled. He still has a chance to redeem himself as he might get some more matches to showcase his talent.

#4 Liam Plunkett

Plunkett bowled brilliantly in his debut match

Delhi Daredevils suffered a major blow ahead of the IPL as Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the tournament. Rabada was supposed to lead the Daredevils attack and it was going to be tough for the side to replace him.

They did try though by naming England's Liam Plunkett as his replacement. After a fantastic start to his IPL career, where he took 3 for 17 in 4 overs, Plunkett's form nosedived. In the next 5 matches, he took only 1 wicket while giving away runs at more than 9 an over. It is improbable that Plunkett will get another game this season.

#3 Heinrich Klaasen

Klaasen walking back after getting dismissed by Shardul Thakur

Rajasthan Royals' hopes of making a winning comeback to the IPL were dealt a severe blow as they lost their captain even before the start of the season. Steven Smith was banned from participating in the IPL following the infamous ball-tampering scandal. He was replaced by South African wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen.

Klaasen had played a couple of match-winning innings in the limited overs series against India and his ability to take on the spinners was what earned him an IPL contract. But he has looked ordinary in the IPL. In the 2 matches that he has played for the franchise, he has scored a meagre 7 runs at an average of 3.5.

#2 Tom Curran

Starc's shoes were too big to fill for Curran

Kolkata Knight Riders raised a few eyebrows when they named Tom Curran as Mitchell Starc's replacement. Starc was KKR's prized acquisition at the auctions and losing him to injury was a big setback for them.

KKR could have gone for experienced pacers like Morne Morkel or Jason Holder, but they went for Tom Curran, who is relatively new to International cricket. And his inexperience has cost the Knight Riders dearly. The England quick has proven to be very expensive in his stint so far, having gone for 11.60 runs per over, bowling extremely inconsistently at the death.

#1 Corey Anderson

RCB showed a lot of trust in Anderson, giving him ample opportunities to shine

Royal Challengers Bangalore lost Nathan Coulter-Nile to injury just at the start of the IPL. They roped in Kiwi all-rounder, Corey Anderson, as his replacement. Anderson was expected to play a big role in RCB's campaign, considering the fact that he has a lot of IPL experience, but he has flattered to deceive.

He has failed on both the bowling as well as the batting front. The southpaw has given away runs at a high economy of 13.26 while taking just 3 wickets in the 3 matches he has played this season. Things did not improve for him in the batting department, as he has managed a paltry 17 runs in 3 innings. With such poor returns, Anderson might never return to the playing XI.