IPL 2018: 5 unsold bowlers who might return as injury replacements

IPL auction has always been as unpredictable as the league itself. It's an event where luck has a bigger say than the stats. Over the years, IPL auction has seen even the best of players being bought cheaply while lesser known players signing multi-crore deals. The auction brings hundreds of surprises ahead of the tournament every other year.

There are many players who are left out of the buying list due to many constraints that come the teams' way. While some players do not have much stats to show, there are others who get ignored even after performing consistently on the international level. On the other hand, some just do not fit in the scheme of things.

However, the IPL rules give such a player another chance to sneak in through a way that of as a replacement for an injured player. Here are few bowlers who unluckily went unsold in the auction but may find their way back in the league as injury replacements.

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#5 Morne Morkel

Morne Morkel, the South African pacer, has been one of the best bowlers in the world across all the three formats. Morkel, who is currently playing for South Africa in the home Test series against Australia, will retire from international cricket after the series.

Though he is nearing mid-thirties, his pace has not declined a bit and he is as effective a bowler he used to be years ago. Playing in 44 T20s for South Africa, Morkel has taken 47 wickets at an economy of 7.50.

In the IPL, however, he has not enjoyed much success. His best season came in 2012, where he took 25 wickets in 16 matches. Overall, in the IPL, he has taken 77 wickets in 70 matches.

Morkel forms a potent replacement option for a fast bowler that can bowl at the death as well. Maybe, he can fit in the role for his former team KKR whose injury list is getting longer and longer.

#4 Samuel Badree

Samuel Badree is one of the best leg spinners in the world at the moment. Though his deliveries do not turn much, it's his intelligent bowling that the teams rely on.

Badree has been a T20 bowler right from the start of his career. He has not played in an ODI or a Test till now but has represented West Indies in 45 matches in which he has taken 54 wickets at an impressive economy of 5.98.

He was the leading wicket-taker for the Windies in the World T20 2016, playing a crucial role in the team's tournament-winning campaign.

In the IPL last year, Badree represented Royal Challengers Bangalore and came into the limelight when he took a hat-trick against the Mumbai Indians.

He is currently placed 3rd on the list of ICC bowler T20 rankings.

#3 Mitchell McClenaghan

Mitchell McClenaghan, the fast bowler from New Zealand, was part of the Mumbai Indians in the past three seasons. He has been out of the New Zealand squad, mainly due to a decline in his form.

McClenaghan is currently playing for Lahore Qalandars in the PSL, but has been largely ineffective. Still, his stats in the IPL speak for themselves.

He played a big role in Mumbai Indians' title-winning run in 2015 and later in 2017. In the 2015 season, he took 18 wickets in 12 matches, in the following season he took 17 wickets in 14 matches and followed up clinching 19 wickets in 14 matches last season.

Although he has been consistent in the IPL over the years, his economy has been a big concern. The New Zealander bowled with an economy of 9.38 in the league last year.

He gave away 10 runs in an over on multiple occasions and this may be the reason that the teams didn't show interest in him. Still, he forms a potent option for an injury replacement with enough of T20 experience under his belt.

#2 Ish Sodhi

It was surprising to see Ish Sodhi go unsold in the auction even at a base price of just Rs. 50 lakh. Sodhi is on the pinnacle of his career being placed 2nd on the list of ICC T20 bowler rankings.

Not only in T20s but of late, he has been effective in the ODIs as well. Sodhi has played in 26 T20 Internationals in which he has taken 36 wickets at an economy of 7.43. With enough international experience, he is a frontrunner as a replacement for a spinner.

Sodhi is yet to play in the IPL and may make it to the league this year itself if it's written in his destiny.

#1 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan great, has been one of the most feared bowlers in the world. He was associated with the Mumbai Indians franchise for the past 10 years and was consistent in the IPL for them.

Malinga sits on the top of the all-time leading wicket-takers in the IPL with 154 wickets, 20 wickets more than the second best Amit Mishra. He went unsold in the auction and it didn't come as a surprise as his performances have declined over the past few years.

Malinga is currently playing for Nondescripts Cricket Club in domestic cricket in Sri Lanka and has been quite effective with the bowl in T20 matches there. With the return of form, Malinga can be an ideal injury replacement option for the teams who are looking for an experienced bowler.