IPL 2018: 4 cricketers who are being badly missed by their old franchise 

Several cricketers were released by their franchises ahead of the IPL 2018 auctions, some of whom were not brought back even through the RTM (Right To Match) card.

Some of these players have gone on to perform tremendously well for their new franchises. Here’s looking at 4 players who are being missed by their previous franchise.

#4 Suryakumar Yadav

The middle-order batsman played for KKR for 3 years

The Mumbai batsman received an IPL call-up in the 2012 season from the Mumbai Indians, but did not get to play a single game. From 2014 to 2017, the middle-order batsman was a regular in the Kolkata Knight Riders team, putting up occasional match-winning performances.

During his 3-year stint with the Knights, Yadav scored 612 runs. This year, he was bought by his previous franchise Mumbai Indians, and in only 4 games of the season thus far, he has piled up 124 runs at an average of almost 32 and strike rate of 132. Suryakumar also owned the orange cap for a couple of hours this season, before it was taken away by Shikhar Dhawan.

#3 Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav was released by KKR and bought by RCB

Although KKR sit on top of the points table at present, that is because they have played 5 matches so far and the other teams have played 3 or 4 each. The two-time champions are yet to find the best combination in their playing XI and in Umesh Yadav, they have let go of a terrific fast-bowler.

KKR are currently missing the services of the injured Mitchell Starc and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, and Yadav’s form for the RCB side, on the other hand, has been brilliant. Umesh was released by KKR and in 4 games for RCB this season, has 7 wickets, 3 of which came in a single over.

#2 KL Rahul

RCB's decision to release KL Rahul shocked many

KL Rahul was sold to KXIP in IPL auction 2018 for Rs 11 cr, after his previous franchise RCB took no interest in retaining him. While RCB are once again struggling in the IPL, with 3 losses from four games, Rahul has been piling up a mountain of runs for his new franchise. He already has 153 runs from four games this season.

“For years, I have been branded a Test cricketer. It’s good for me to be up there, creating history and breaking records. Hope to continue this way,” Rahul said after being adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ in the game against Chennai.

#1 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle was released by RCB this year and bought by the Kings XI Punjab

The swashbuckling batsman was signed up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the second edition of the IPL, but failed to do justice to his potential. In two seasons for KKR, Chris Gayle scored only 296 runs from 16 games. Next year, he was released from the squad and bought by RCB, which saw the emergence of Gayle 2.0.

In his debut game for RCB against his previous team KKR, Gayle scored 102 off 55 balls, hitting 10 fours and 7 sixes. In the following game, he scored another century, 107 off 49 balls and in the next match against Kochi Tuskers, he created a unique record, scoring 37 runs in a single over. Thereafter, Gayle owned the IPL like few others could, until his form started to wane in the 2017 season.

RCB released him from their squad and he was picked by the Kings XI Punjab this season. He has scored a 63 and an unbeaten 104 in the first two games.

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