IPL 2018: Star replacement signings whose debuts are much anticipated

Many players have pulled out of the past editions of Indian Premier League due to injuries and this season is no different. It is very difficult for a franchise to sign a replacement for an injured star since they have to change their strategies completely.

Several star players have withdrawn citing injuries, however, the franchises have come up with ideal replacements for almost all of those players. Let us now look at the star replacement signings who are yet to play a game this season.

---

Ish Sodhi (Rajasthan Royals)

The Kiwi star is currently one of the top-ranked T20 bowlers in the world. The leg-spinner came into the limelight with his brilliant spell of 3/18 against India in the 2016 T20 World Cup at Nagpur. Sodhi, who has never played in the IPL has represented New Zealand in 26 T20I matches and has 36 wickets at an economy of 7.43. Sodhi played for the Big Bash League side Adelaide Strikers in the 2016-17 season.

Surprisingly, he found no buyers during the IPL 2018 auctions with a base price of Rs.50 lakhs. But fortunes changes soon for Sodhi, as he was signed as a replacement by Rajasthan Royals for the injured Afghan bowler, Zahir Khan. But the fact that he is yet to make his debut is surprising.

With domestic-players like Shreyas Gopal and Krishnappa Gowtham doing well in the spin department, it will be difficult for an overseas player like Sodhi to get into the eleven. But one might expect him to make his debut very soon, given his reputation in the T20 format in recent years.

David Willey (Chennai Super Kings)

David Willey

Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav, who sustained a grade 2 tear while playing against the Mumbai Indians in the season opener, was ruled out of the entire season due to the hamstring injury. David Willey, the English all-rounder was signed by the Chennai Super Kings as a replacement to the injured Indian.

Willey, who plays for Yorkshire in the domestic circuit has represented the Three Lions in 20 T20I matches, scoring 119 runs while picking up 24 wickets.

But the Englishman is yet to play a game in the IPL. He is a very handy batsman who can score big and bat at various positions according to the team's needs. He is a very effective death-overs bowler and can bowl some wonderful toe-crushers towards the end of the innings.

Except for the first game, the Super Kings have relied on their domestic talents in the pace department. If given a chance in the upcoming games, Willey can be a very vital cog in Chennai's line-up.

Liam Plunkett (Delhi Daredevils)

Liam Plunkett

The English pacer who plays for Yorkshire in the domestic circuit was signed by the Delhi Daredevils as a replacement for the injured Proteas speedster, Kagiso Rabada who was ruled of this season due to a back injury. During this year's auctions, Plunkett, with an enormous base price of INR 2 crore, went unsold.

He has played 15 T20I matches for England, picking up 19 wickets at an economy of 7.45 with his best figures being 3/21. Plunkett, who is yet to play an IPL game in his career, can serve Delhi well due to his rich experience in the absence of a world-class player like Rabada.

But he is yet to break into the Delhi eleven this season.

Adam Milne (Mumbai Indians)

Adam Milne

The Kiwi pacer was signed by the three-time winners, Mumbai Indians as a replacement for the injured Aussie speedster, Pat Cummins. Cummins who suffered a back injury during Australia's third Test against the Proteas was ruled out of this year's IPL.

Milne went unsold at this year's auctions with a base price of INR 75 lakh. He is capable of bowling past the magical 150-kph mark on a consistent basis.

In fact, in Milne, the Mumbai Indians have found the right replacement for the injured Cummins. The speedster has represented New Zealand in 19 T20I matches so far and has taken 21 wickets at an economy of 7.38 with his best figures being 4/37.

He was a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past two editions (2016 and 2017) of the IPL. Overall, in five IPL games, Milne has taken 4 wickets at an economy of 9.83. But this season, he is yet to make his debut for Mumbai after coming in as a replacement.