5 superstars who might be released ahead of IPL 2019

IPL is one of the most successful franchise based T20 league in the world. International players from all around the world play in the cash-rich league and provide entertainment to the fans all over the world. Over time, IPL has set high standards when it comes to the level of cricket played.

While reputation can earn big players a place in the teams, they have to keep churning out performances year after year to sustain themselves in the IPL. And if they fail to do so, they find themselves out of contention for a place in any team. Moreover, IPL status of a player has a huge bearing on a player' credentials as an international cricketer too. So it becomes imperative for every player to keep performing consistently in the IPL. Perform or perish is the mantra in IPL.

Last season, some big names disappointed their respective teams with their below par performance. With the highly competitive nature of the tournament, these teams might look for other options and release these big-ticket players.

Here is the list of 5 superstars who might be axed by their teams in IPL 2019.

#5 Brendon McCullum

McCullum wasn't at his best playing for RCB

Brendon McCullum set the tone for IPL by hitting a blistering 158 not out in the inaugural match of IPL in 2008. After some lean seasons with Kolkata Knight Riders and Kochi Tuskers Kerala, McCullum found his mojo back playing for Chennai Super Kings. The swashbuckling Kiwi has been a hot property at the auctions in these years and was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore last season for Rs. 3.6 Cr. McCullum was expected to provide explosive starts to RCB but he failed to do so.

McCullum scored only 127 runs in 6 outings for RCB last season and is expected to be dropped by the franchise this season. Also, the fact that RCB had a forgettable IPL season last year might prompt the team management to make wholesale changes and McCullum might be the first casualty in the process.

#4 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan hasn't played much competitive cricket after IPL 2018

Chennai Superkings made a stunning comeback to the IPL last season by winning their third IPL title. CSK, who were trolled for buying aged players, won crucial moments in the tournament riding on the experience of these aged players. One of the aged players bought by CSK at the auction was Harbhajan Singh.

The Indian off-spinner was released by Mumbai Indians before the auctions. Even though CSK had a barrage of spinners in its side, Harbhajan was seen as a potent weapon for Dhoni. However, things did not go well for the Turbanator.

Harbhajan took just 7 wickets in 13 matches and gave away runs at a high economy of 8.48.

Also, there were a lot of instances where he did not complete his quota of 4 overs.

Moreover, while other senior players like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Gautam Gambhir have been toiling hard by playing domestic tournaments, Harbhajan has turned towards TV commentary and the lack of competitive cricket might go against him.

#3 Keiron Pollard

Is this the end of Pollard-Mumbai Indians association?

Kieron Pollard has been a match-winner for Mumbai Indians in every sense. The big Trinidadian has played some sensational innings for the franchise over the years. Even with the ball, he has been more than useful picking up wickets at crucial junctures of the game. Pollard has been electric in the field too. But IPL 11 was a complete let down for the all-rounder.

Pollard amassed just 133 runs in 9 matches and was unable to score quick runs at the back-end of the innings. The 31-year-old's poor show with the bat was a major reason for Mumbai Indians' underwhelming performance last year.

Moreover, with so many young talented players coming up the ranks, the Mumbai Indians think tank might look for other alternatives to improve their performance this year. This might result in the end of Pollard's time with Mumbai Indians.

#2 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj looked completely out of sorts last season

Yuvraj Singh has been out of favour from the Indian cricket team for a long time now. But he has always been in demand in the IPL. But unfortunately, Yuvraj has never been able to set the stage on fire in the IPL.

At last year's auction, Yuvraj was snapped by Kings XI Punjab, the franchise with which he started his IPL career. The southpaw was expected to be the mainstay of KXIP's middle-order because of his experience and masterclass batting. But things did not transpire the way Kings XI and Yuvraj wanted.

The all-rounder failed miserably with the bat as he scored just 65 runs in 8 matches and after a string of poor scores, he was eventually dropped from the playing XI. Yuvraj hasn't done anything exceptional in the domestic tournaments either and is set to be axed by Kings XI Punjab. Things might get worse for Yuvraj as it is highly unlikely that any team will go for him at the auctions either.

#1 Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir stepped down as Delhi Daredevils captain after six matches

There was a lot of buzz about Gautam Gambhir's homecoming to Delhi Daredevils before the IPL 2018. Gambhir has been a successful IPL captain leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title twice and it was expected that the local lad will change the fortunes of the misfiring Delhi Daredevils in season 11. But what followed was least expected by cricket fans.

After losing five out of it's first six matches, Gautam Gambhir stepped down as the captain of Delhi Daredevils. Gambhir's batting performance wasn't impressive either as he managed to score just 85 runs in 6 matches. The opener did not play a single game for the Daredevils thereafter and also did not take any salary from the franchise.

In all probability, Gambhir won't be retained by the Daredevils and Shreyas Iyer will continue leading the side.

However, he has been in rich vein of form off late and scored 518 runs in 10 matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Gambhir finished as the second highest run-getter of the tournament.