IPL 2018: 5 players who might surprisingly find a place in their respective sides

Every year thousands of players register themselves for the IPL auction. Half of the thousand go under the hammer and only a few of them are bought by teams. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a shortcut to success for most players as it provides them with ample opportunities to make a name for themselves.

This year, a lot of players will come with the hope of being selected in the playing XI. On this note, let us take a look at five dark horses who may surprisingly make it to the playing XI for their respective franchises.

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#5 Manoj Tiwary (Kings XI Punjab)

The Kings XI Punjab procured Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary following wonderful performances in the Zonal T20 League. Tiwary played an instrumental role in Kolkata Knight Riders' victory in 2012 and 2014. The Bengal captain has scored 1648 runs in the IPL at an average of nearly 30. He represented the Rising Pune Supergiant in the previous edition.

With the firepower that the Kings XI Punjab possess, it is tough for Tiwary to get a chance in the playing XI but the 32-year-old has recently added a few weapons to his arsenal. He has started to roll his arm over in the middle overs of innings. He was successful with the ball in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year.

This added feature will help Tiwary grab a spot in the playing XI. With a lot of firepower in the middle order, Tiwary will have to prove himself with both bat and ball.

#4 Deepak Chahar (Chennai Super Kings)

Deepak Chahar was the leading wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Deepak Chahar is a fast bowler who plays his domestic cricket for Rajasthan. Chahar had an impressive outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year where he scalped 19 wickets in only 9 games which included a five-wicket haul against Bengal. His economy rate of 5.58 is brilliant for a bowler who bowls in the power play and at the fag end of the innings.

The Chennai Super Kings lack depth in their bowling department. Shardul Thakur is the only reputed Indian pacer in their ranks. Chahar is likely to get an opportunity in the initial stages of the tournament. Having played with Dhoni in the 2017 IPL, Chahar will now have plenty of experience.

He is likely to make it to the playing XI alongside his counterpart Shardul. In the later stages of the tournament, young pacer Asif KM may replace one of the two. The 25-year-old Chahar will be raring to go as the Super Kings take on the Mumbai Indians in the first game of the tournament.

#3 Yusuf Pathan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Can Yusuf Pathan channel some of his previous

form

?

Before this year's IPL auction, Yusuf Pathan was uncertain about getting an IPL contract. Pathan started as a fierce hitter of the ball who could roll his arm over for a few overs. His ability has faded away in the last few years though.

He has scored 2904 IPL runs at an average of 29.63. His strike rate of 145.49 is the most impressive thing about his batting. The Sunrisers Hyderabad have been at the receiving end of his hard-hitting abilities, as he smashed a 22-ball 72 against them in 2014. The 35-year-old's all-round abilities may ensure a place for him in the SRH XI.

Pathan's attributes will be beneficial for the Sunrisers as they lack a quality finisher. Pathan along with Manish Pandey can take up the responsibility of finishing the innings on a high.

#2 Ben Cutting (Mumbai Indians)

Cutting will play for the defending champions Mumbai Indians

Ben Cutting is a highly underrated player in the IPL. Despite his heroics in the 2016 final, Cutting remains under the radar. The all-rounder has featured in only nine IPL games thus far in which he has amassed 124 runs at a strike rate of 187.

He has also scalped seven wickets with a best of 2 for 20. Cutting is a hard hitter of the ball. He was used as a finisher by the Brisbane Heat in BBL 07. He was procured by the Mumbai Indians as an alternative to Kieron Pollard who has been in poor form in the last few seasons.

He may get to play in place of the Carribean superstar this season. Cutting will play an integral role in Mumbai's run in this edition of the IPL.

#1 Chris Gayle (Kings XI Punjab)

Gayle was bought by KXIP for this edition of the IPL

Chris Gayle did not attract any buyers for the most part in the auction. It was the last few minutes of the second day when the 'Universe Boss' grabbed a few eyeballs and was procured by the Kings from the north amidst a huge round of applause from the other seven franchises.

Gayle is the only player to have scored more than 10,000 T20 runs. He will in all likelihood open the batting in Punjab's first game of the season due to the unavailability of Aaron Finch. This will be Gayle's best chance to prove himself and he will get more opportunities only if he succeeds in game one with the likes of Finch waiting in the wings.