IPL 2018: Disappointing XI of the season

Middle Order

Aaron Finch (Kings XI Punjab)

Finch has failed in all but one inning.

What exactly is going on with Aaron Finch in this season of IPL? Finch is easily one of the best limited overs batsmen in the whole world, and has scored over 300 runs in four of the last five seasons of IPL, and here we are, in the 11th edition of IPL, where he has struggled to even stay on the crease for a total of 100 balls after 10 matches.

Be it in the middle order or the top of the order, the Australian failed to get going in the opportunities that he has got so far. Having featured in 10 matches for KXIP, Finch has only managed a cumulative total of 134 runs at an underwhelming average of 18.57.

With Gayle and Rahul scoring heavily at the top of the order, Finch's failure in the middle order played a big role in KXIP's dismal form in the later stages of IPL 2018.

---

Yuvraj Singh (Kings XI Punjab)

This graphic sums up Yuvi's season so far.

Much like Gautam Gambhir's return to Delhi Daredevils, Yuvraj Singh's return to Kings XI Punjab, the franchise based in his hometown, was met with much fanfare.

While the franchise has been doing pretty well, courtesy of some impressive performances by KL Rahul, Chris Gayle and Andrew Tye, Yuvraj Singh endured a polar opposite season.

Regarded as one of the best T20 players of all time, Yuvraj Singh had a tough time finding form in the matches that he played for KXIP. Playing only 8 matches for his hometown franchise, the swashbuckling left-hander managed a cumulative total of only 65 runs.

Famous for his aggressive stroke play, Yuvraj's disappointing strike rate of just 89 led to his removal from the playing XI in the middle part of the season.

---

Kieron Pollard

The Big Man was warming the benches for many matches.

This is how far we have come from the first few seasons of IPL. There was a time, back in 2009, when Kieron Pollard was the hottest property in the whole cricketing world. Setting the stage on fire with his powerful hitting and unimaginable catching skills, Pollard was regularly winning matches for Mumbai Indians on a regular basis.

Fast forward to 2018, and the man is just warming benches after failing to make an impact in the first half of this season.

Enduring inarguably the worst season of his IPL career, Pollard looks a shadow of the player that he was at his prime. After playing the first 9 matches for the Mumbai Indians, Pollard only managed a cumulative total of 133 runs at an average of only 19.

Known for his partnership breaking spells, Pollard did not bowl a single delivery in those 8 matches. While he played one match-winning knock of 50 runs, his performance in other matches left a lot to be desired.