IPL 2018: 5 expensive buys who are off to a poor start

We are almost at the end of week one of IPL 2018 and have witnessed quite a few nail-biting encounters already.

Franchises invested a lot of money on players like Glenn Maxwell, Jaydev Unadkat, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Sanju Samson, Dinesh Karthik, and Ravichandran Ashwin, but not every investment has resulted in great profits so far. Some of the expensive signings experienced a disastrous start to their IPL campaign.

Without much ado, let’s take a look at the expensive signings who are off to a poor start in IPL 2018:

(This list does not include players retained in the pre-auction)

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#5 Washington Sundar

In-form Sundar vital to RCB's success

Washington Sundar stole all the limelight when he finished the Nidahas T20 trophy as the highest wicket-taker (8 wickets) in the tournament at an economy of 5.70. He opened the bowling for India and did an excellent job in the power play overs.

He was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2018 auction for Rs 3.2 crores, and a lot was expected of the off-spinner but was taken to cleaners by the Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen in Bangalore's first match of IPL 2018, at the Eden Gardens. Sunil Narine, in particular, was severe on the off-spinner.

The 18-year-old will get back to IPL action on Friday when Royal Challengers Bangalore welcome Kings XI Punjab to the Chinnaswamy stadium.

#4 Evin Lewis

Lewis needs a change of luck

Evin Lewis grabbed the attention of the T20 world when he struck an incredible 125* off 62 balls against India in a T20I during India’s tour of Windies in 2017. He dismissed some of India’s best bowlers to all parts of the ground and finished the innings with 11 huge sixes.

Mumbai Indian bought him for Rs 3.8 crores in the auction, and in the first two games, he opened the batting with Rohit Sharma and scored a total of only 29 runs, dismissed for a duck in his first game and scored 29 in his second.

Mumbai Indians lost both their games and are reeling at sixth in the points table. Lewis needs to put in good performances if he wants to keep his spot in the team.

#3 D’Arcy Short

Short was unlucky to get run-out twice

D'Arcy Short burst into T20 cricket when he scored an incredible 572 runs in 11 games for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League 2017/18. He finished the tournament with an average of 57.20 and a strike rate of 149.

Short was the highest run-getter in the Big Bash League 2017/18 and was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping Rs. 4 crores in the 2018 auction.

The Australian also made his international debut in the recently concluded T20 series against New Zealand and England.

However, his first two innings in IPL ended in disaster. He scored only 10 runs in his first two IPL innings and was dismissed run-out on both occasions. Rajasthan Royals needs a lot more runs from their expensive opening batsman.

#2 Chris Lynn

Lynn could not reprise his 2017 form in the first two games

One of most fearsome hitters in limited overs cricket is having a subdued start in IPL 2018. Chris Lynn was phenomenal for Kolkata Knight Riders last year, when he scored 295 runs at an average of 49 and a strike rate of 181.

Kolkata Knight Riders bought him back for a huge Rs 9.6 crores in the 2018 auction, but Lynn hasn't kept that great momentum in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League. The dashing Australian has scored only 27 runs in his first two games for KKR.

He is Kolkata’s most expensive signing in the 2018 auction and the team will expect a lot more from their destructive opener.

#1 Ben Stokes

Stokes had a poor start to IPL 2018

Ben Stokes was stunning for Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2017 as his all-around performance helped his team to the finals of the competition. The English all-rounder scored 312 runs and picked up 12 wickets in the tournament.

He was the most expensive player in the 2018 auction when Rajasthan Royals bought him for a whopping price of Rs 12.5 crores. Stokes’ IPL 2018 campaign got off to a dreadful start.

The 26-year-old was poor with both the bat and ball in his first two IPL games. In the first game, he was dismissed for 5 runs and gave away 21 runs in his 2 overs. He scored only 16 runs in his second game and did not have a bowl. He needs to contribute a lot more to justify his huge price tag.