IPL 2018: Biggest flop from each team

The biggest T20 league in the world started off in a grand fashion. The first few weeks witnessed some high scoring encounters, and we also saw the return of ‘The Universal Boss’, Chris Gayle when he scored a century.

Additionally, the return of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royal were the key highlights of the season. It cannot be denied that this year, in particular, has seen some spectacular performances with the bat and ball.

While they were a few standout performers this year, there have also those select few who let down their team. This year's IPL concluded with Chennai Super Kings lifting the trophy, it’s time we take a look at the biggest flops of this year’s IPL.

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#8 Sarfaraz Khan (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

He crumbled under the pressure of being given more responsibility

The world was shocked when Virat Kohl and RCB decided to retain Sarfaraz Khan over the likes of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul. Perhaps they saw something in him that no one else could.

Last year he missed the IPL due to injury, but Kohli asked him to work on his fitness prior to the IPL.

However, when he returned, it appeared as though he hasn’t worked hard enough. This year, he has been totally forgettable with the bat. He played only seven matches and scored 51 runs with a strike-rate of 124.39. In fact, his highest score this year is 22*.

One could speculate that this will probably be his last year playing for RCB. It’s quite clear he crumbled under pressure after given more responsibility. More was expected of him from his captain and he just could not live up to the hype.

People who doubted Kohli’s decision to retain Sarfaraz were proven right. This is a decision that caused RCB to fall short of qualifying in the playoffs. One can only speculate what would have happened had RCB decided to retain KL Rahul and Chris Gayle.

#7 Mitchell Johnson (Kolkata Knight Riders)

KKR purchased Mitchell Johnson for 2 crores in the 2018 IPL auction

This one was evident before the start of the tournament. As lethal as Mitchell Johnson can be, he has a tendency of being very expensive. KKR purchased Johnson for ₹2 crores in the 2018 IPL auction. This turned out to be a total waste of money.

Johnson has only played six games so far and has bowled 21 overs, conceding 216 runs while picking up just 2 wickets. His economy rate is 10.28. His best bowling figures this year is 30/1. It’s quite clear he has had a below average year.

I will be surprised if KKR retains him despite his poor performance. Most likely this may end up being his last year in the IPL.

#6 Aaron Finch (Kings XI Punjab)

Playing his first match for Kings XI Punjab, Finch scored 0 runs

Aaron Finch made it to KXIP's team after just getting married. The famous saying behind every successful man there is always a woman can’t be further from the truth when it comes to Finch.

Playing his first match for Kings XI Punjab, Finch scored 0 runs. He followed that up by scoring another duck in his next match. This poor form continued for the Australian batsman so far and he managed to score just 134 runs in 10 matches. That’s ₹1.5 crores down the drain.

With the talent that Finch possesses, one can expect him to bounce back any time soon. But until he turns it around for himself, this is turning out to be his worst IPL yet. Maybe Finch isn’t cut out for the middle order since he spends most of his time opening the batting for Australia.

The smart move for the selectors would be to replace Finch with a more well-rounded middle-order batsman since Finch is clearly feeling uncomfortable batting in the middle order.

#5 Wriddhiman Saha (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

He started as an opening batsman before being moved lower down the order

Wriddhiman Saha is India's first-choice wicket-keeper, but his batting has always been under scrutiny. He silenced all his critics in 2014 when he scored a blistering century for Kings XI Punjab. That was also his best year in the IPL. However, he hasn’t been able to repeat that feat since then.

Debuting for SRH this year, he started as an opening batsman before being moved lower down the order. He couldn’t contribute much at the top of the order and was an absolute failure in the middle-order.

He just scored 122 runs in 11 matches with a strike-rate of 119.60. He was also replaced by Sreevats Goswami for a couple of games. A lot was clearly expected from him, but he failed to live up to expectations. One has to wonder whether keeping skills are good enough to guarantee you a place in the playing XI.

#4 Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)

When playing for one of the most successful IPL franchises you need you raise your standards

Maybe I’m being harsh when it comes to Faf, but when playing for one of the most successful IPL franchises you need you raise your standards. CSK is one team that has produced consistent all-round performers this year.

Rayudu, Raina, Dhoni, Watson, Billings and Bravo have all produced match-winning knocks on at least one occasion. So, when it comes to a team like this, I have no other choice than to select Faf du Pleases because I had a lot of expectations from him coming into this year’s IPL.

Du Plessis has always been the other opener for CSK. But, whenever he got his chance he contributed with the bat, and on the field. This year however, he managed 162 runs in 6 matches at a strike-rate of 125.58. He looked a bit uncomfortable and out of place when he was at the crease. His highest score this year is 67*.

He averages 32.40 with the bat, so why did he make this list? When you have the second worst bowling line-up in the IPL, a lot his expected from your batsman to step up and get the job done. Sadly, his one half-century doesn't warrant enough to keep him off this list. When you look at all of CSK’s batsman, he is the only one, apart Jadeja, who hasn’t really contributed much with the bat.

Being the South African captain, a lot is expected from him, but he failed to live up to the hype.

#3 Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)

Kieron Pollard has always been a mainstay at Mumbai Indians since his arrival in 2010

Kieron Pollard has always been a mainstay at Mumbai Indians since his arrival in 2010. Whether it’s with bat, bowl or the field, he has always contributed in some way or another.

However, 2018 has not been kind on Pollard. The long-standing MI finisher managed to score just 133 runs from 9 matches. What’s even more surprising is the fact that he hasn’t even bowled a single ball in the entire tournament.

To top it all off MI dropped him from the playing XI after just 7 games. This has never happened before. He has been one player they have constantly retained since his debut in 2010, but this time I think it’s time to let him go.

#2 D’Arcy Short (Rajasthan Royals)

All eyes were on D’Arcy Short as he walked into the biggest T20 league in the world

D’Arcy Short was one of the most buzz-worthy names at the start of the IPL season. He scored 572 runs in 11 matches for Hobart Hurricanes with 4 50s and 1 century. He also held an impressive strike-rate of 148.47.

All eyes were on Short as he walked into the biggest T20 league in the world. Short’s debut was awful as he was run out for just 4 runs. In his second match, he was run out again for just 6 runs. He struggled throughout the tournament and never looked comfortable in the IPL.

Rajasthan kept giving him chances in the hope that he will deliver and score a big one, but he hasn’t grasped those opportunities and has been a big let down for his team.

#1 Gautam Gambhir (Delhi Daredevils)

Gautam Gambhir made a bold decision to leave Kolkata Knight Riders and return home to Delhi Daredevils

Gautam Gambhir made a bold decision to leave Kolkata Knight Riders and return home to Delhi Daredevils. The reason for such a decision was so that he could finish his career at Delhi and perhaps even lead them to an IPL trophy.

Gambhir looked determined and was welcomed home with open arms from the fans. All was well and it seemed as if this may be Delhi’s year with an experienced coach like Ricky Ponting, a seasoned captain like Gambhir, and a very young squad consisting of very talented players like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant.

Gambhir started off the season well and even scored a fifty in his first match. Sadly, it was all downhill from there. He scored 55 runs in the first match, and they did not bat in their next fixture against Rajasthan Royals. Following that match, he scored 15, 8, 3, and 4 in his next four games respectively. Following his lackluster performances, he took another bold decision. This time he decided to drop himself from the playing XI and named Shreyas Iyer as the new captain.

This has been Gambhir’s worst year till date. He just looked very uncomfortable at the crease and he didn’t back himself to score those big runs his team needed. This may be his last year in the IPL and he may settle with a coaching role next year.