IPL 2018: Anticipated all-rounders who have disappointed the most so far

When it comes to the T20s, the all-rounders are the biggest assets. Every team wants a player who can score quick runs as well as bowl a useful four-over spell for them. The IPL is no different in this aspect. Over the years, all-rounders have dominated both on and off the field in the IPL. From Andrew Flintoff in 2009 to Ben Stokes in 2018, they have acquired the highest price at the auctions.

This season, quite a few star all-rounders have not lived up to the expectations of the fans and their respective franchises. Let us now look at those all-rounders who need to step up and perform well for their franchises in the upcoming games after a disappointing run so far in this season.

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Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)

The big-hitting Trinidadian was brought by the Mumbai Indians during the 2010 IPL auctions for an undisclosed amount above $750,000, making him the joint costliest buy of that season. Since then, he has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians side scoring 2376 runs while picking up 56 wickets in 127 matches. He has won three titles so far with MI, in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

A genuine all-rounder and a big match player, Pollard was retained by the Mumbai Indians using the Right-to-match card at the 2018 auctions for INR 5.4 crore. Six matches into the eleventh season, Pollard finds himself on the verge of dropping out of the eleven, as he has made just 63 runs in six innings so far. A player like Pollard is an asset for any team and his poor form is a cause of concern for the defending champions.He really needs to step up for the three-time title winners this season.

Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings)

Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja, who played three seasons for the Rajasthan Royals initially, was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 9.8 crores during the 2012 auctions, making him the costliest player of the fifth season. Dhoni showed immense faith in his abilities, making him a regular fixture in the Chennai side. He was an ideal player for the Super Kings and was part of the squad that reached the finals on three occasions (2012, 2013, 2015).

Jadeja played for the Gujarat Lions in the 2016 and 2017 editions due to Chennai's two-year suspension from the league. The Chennai Super Kings retained the Saurashtra player for INR 7 crore prior to the 2018 IPL auctions. The Super Kings who made a comeback to the league after a two-year hiatus, are waiting for their star all-rounder to contribute as he has always done in the past editions.In the five matches so far, Jadeja has scored just 44 runs and took a solitary wicket. A consistent performer for Dhoni's men, Jadeja is yet to announce his arrival this season.

Yuvraj Singh (Kings XI Punjab)

Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj played for the Kings XI Punjab in the first three editions of the IPL, before moving to the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2011. He was the most expensive buy of the 2014 and 2015 IPL, as he was bought for INR 14 crore and INR 16 crore respectively by the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils. In 2016, he moved to the Sunrisers Hyderabad where he won the title under David Warner.

Yuvi was released by them prior to the 2018 auctions and was bought back by his former franchise, Kings XI Punjab at his base price of INR 2 crore. In six matches so far, Yuvraj has scored just 50 runs at a strike-rate of 89.28. Sadly, India's 2011 World cup winning hero is in a poor form and is struggling to find runs this season. Hope he gets into his usual best in the upcoming games for the Kings XI Punjab.

Glenn Maxwell (Delhi Daredevils)

Glenn Maxwell

The most expensive player of the 2013 IPL is an experienced T20 campaigner, having played for several teams in Big Bash League, English county and of course, the Indian Premier League. Maxwell began his IPL stint with the Delhi Daredevils back in 2012 and subsequently moved to the Mumbai Indians in 2013, where he won the title in the same season. Maxi then played for the Kings XI Punjab in the next four editions of the IPL. He was one of the reasons for Kings XI Punjab's dream run in the 2014 IPL, when they finished as the runners-up to a spirited, Kolkata Knight Riders unit.

But in the subsequent seasons with the Punjab franchise, he had a mediocre stint and was eventually released by them prior to the 2018 auctions, where he was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for a whopping INR 9 crore. With five matches into the eleventh season, Maxwell has scored just 93 runs, with his highest score being 47. He is someone who can change the course of the game single-handedly, with his big-hitting abilities. Maybe the enormous price tag and the high expectations have put the pressure on the Aussie all-rounder who is trying his best to excel this season.Maxwell needs to get going to strengthen the already beleaguered, Delhi's middle-order.