IPL 2018: 3 prominent players who went unsold at the auctions but returned as replacements

One man’s loss is another man’s gain, and this applies to cricket too. An injury to one player opens the door for another. Every year, a few unsold players make it to the tournament as replacements for those who are ruled out due to an injury or other concerns.

This year, several players have been ruled out – the biggest among the names being Steve Smith and David Warner. Although the replacements for all the players have not been announced yet, here’s taking a look at those who have made a lucky re-entry into the tournament so far.

#3 Corey Anderson – Royal Challengers Bangalore

The Royal Challengers Bangalore secured an impressive pace bowling attack in the auction, including Nathan Coulter-Nile. However, the Australian pacer suffered an “aggravation” of a previous stress fracture and was thus ruled out of the IPL.

Consequently, RCB roped in all-rounder Corey Anderson at his base price, in place of the Australian. “The IPL Technical Committee has approved a replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile – fast bowler from Australia – in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad,” an IPL media advisory stated.

He has played 27 IPL matches, in which he has scored 521 runs and scalped 8 wickets.

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#2 Mitchell McClenaghan – Mumbai Indians

The Kiwi pacer was a part of Mumbai Indians last year as well

New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan has replaced injured Australian player Jason Behrendorff in the Mumbai Indians squad. Confirming the news, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that Behrendorff has been ruled out of the upcoming IPL due to a back problem.

McClenaghan, who played for the three-time champions in the last three editions of the tournament, has been roped in at his base price of Rs 1 crore, after initially going unsold at the auctions. One among New Zealand’s fastest bowlers, McClenaghan has 19 wickets from 14 IPL games.

#1 Alex Hales – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Hales, at his base price of INR 1 crore, went unsold in the auctions

Sunrisers Hyderabad have picked Alex Hales as their replacement for the suspended David Warner. The opening batsman was bought for his base price of 1 crore from the Registered and Available Player Pool (RAPP) list.

BCCI announced that it won’t allow Steve Smith and Warner in the IPL, after the two were banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia for their involvement in ball-tampering at Newlands in Cape Town.

Hales, who was a part of Mumbai Indians (MI) for the 2015 edition, is yet to make his IPL debut. However, he enjoys the distinction of being the only England player to score a T20I century.