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The Indian Premier League is entering its business phase as the battle for the playoffs become more exciting and the matches much more interesting. We have had a couple of cracking contests while there have been a couple of one-sided games as well. The teams' choices at the auctions have played their part and while few choices have paid off, few have backfired.
Now is the time when some players from teams leave on international duty ahead of the World Cup and the benched players so far slowly start to make their appearances in few sides.
There are some benched players in each team, who would have fared much better had they played for another side and now, let's take a look at them.
#1 Mohit Sharma- Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Chennai Super Kings fast bowler, who was bought for ₹5 crore at the auction, has been used only for 1 game this season and MS Dhoni has shown more faith in his young pace guns who have delivered this season. With DJ Bravo back fully fit to handle death bowling duties, Mohit doesn't really have a role to play in the Chennai camp.
He could've done a lot better playing for RCB especially with their current scenario. Despite Dale Steyn's timely arrival, RCB have still continued to struggle with bowling in the death and let MS Dhoni do the improbable and win the game very closely when they should've been cruising to a win.
Mohit would've been a valuable addition to this team with his experience and death bowling skills and could've rescued RCB from many tight situations and their season might not have seen this much of a dip.
#2 Trent Boult- Kolkata Knight Riders
The Kolkata Knight Riders are on a 5-match losing streak and their playoffs hopes are in serious jeopardy. The main reason for this has been the lack of quality pace bowlers in their side and the pre-season injuries to young pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti as well as Proteas pacer Anrich Nortje.
No pace bowler has been able to apply pressure and their prized spin attack is thus put under pressure of taking wickets. In this scenario, a player like Trent Boult would have done wonders for KKR had he played for them.
The Kiwi pacer has surprisingly been benched and though Kagiso Rabada has been highly successful, Boult could've easily replaced players like Keemo Paul or Chris Morris in the Delhi setup. Boult has played just one game this season and could've been a match-winner had he been playing for KKR.
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#3 Moises Henriques- Rajasthan Royals
Kings XI Punjab have been the side which has made the most number of changes this season but surprisingly, one of their most experienced overseas players, Moises Henriques has been benched this season. Players like Sam Curran, David Miller have enjoyed a long stint in the team while Nicholas Pooran, Hardus Viljoen and even last season's Purple Cap winner Andrew Tye have been part of the side's rotation policy.
It was unfortunate for him to pick up an injury before making his KXIP debut but Punjab don't really need Henriques in their side and he would've been of more use to the Rajasthan Royals whose middle order has been very brittle, excluding the performances of Steve Smith.
He would have made the middle order stable and provided an additional bowling option. A very experienced T20 player, he could have stepped up as the lead overseas player after their main men left on international duties.
#4 Carlos Brathwaite- Kings XI Punjab
When the Kolkata Knight Riders bought Carlos Brathwaite at the IPL auction for ₹5 crore, all of us thought that he was going to have a bigger role to play than what he has done now. The big Caribbean has got only one game this season and though he under performed, that is no reason to drop him permanently.
But the needs of the side don't necessarily involve playing him though, and he should have really been bought by another team.
Kings XI Punjab are one team who might have been benefited with his acquisition because the side really lacks the power in their middle order. Though they aren't collapsing at the brisk pace they did last season, apart from their top 3 and an occasional cameo from David Miller, their middle order lacks punch and power and Brathwaite could have provided that. He is a handy bowling option and possesses good leadership skills and would've been a good fit in the team.
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#5 Evin Lewis- Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings' top order hasn't really fired this season and it has mostly been MS Dhoni or a brilliant bowling performance that has saved them this season. Shane Watson's performance, especially, has been poor and though CSK have options like Murali Vijay or N Jagadeesan, they don't want to try them out.
The slide from being one of the most feared openers to the easiest to bowl to is hard to believe and a benched player like Evin Lewis could have done wonders for CSK. The problem for MS Dhoni is that he doesn't have any benched overseas openers apart from Sam Billings who hasn't done well in the IPL, batting at that position.
Lewis showed his class last season when he made 382 runs and though it wasn't beyond average, his attacking instinct and big-hitting prowess might have been good for CSK. His recent form, playing for country, is simply outstanding and though he's not the first option that comes to your mind, he would've been a great fit in the CSK camp.
#6 Ish Sodhi- Mumbai Indians
Ish Sodhi has constantly been overlooked by the Royals despite his very economic and controlled endeavours for the side. Shreyas Gopal has certainly done a terrific job but no other spinner has picked up more than 1 wicket but the team still continuing to neglect Sodhi is ridiculous. The Kiwi leg-spinner would've done much better in a team like the Mumbai Indians.
Mumbai have found a gem of a spinner in Rahul Chahar but Mayank Markande, the other leggie, has failed them this season. They are also playing a needless overseas player in Ben Cutting and Sodhi would bring international quality and a lot of experience to their bowling and will certainly have given more opportunities to take wickets because of the pressure he generates.
He has played only one game for his side and a team like Mumbai would have been a much better opportunity for him.
#7 Washington Sundar- Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH's overseas combination is one of the hardest to select and the team seems to be missing Mohammad Nabi's clever bowling in the power play despite having success without him. A player like Washington Sundar would've been a perfect fit in the SRH camp which has been the breeding ground for many young capped and uncapped players.
RCB's retention of the young all-rounder meant that the team had a lot of confidence in his abilities to bowl in the power play and choke the run flow but despite having a poor start to the season, not once did they turn to him.
Sundar would've provided a great power play bowling option for skipper Kane Williamson to utilize without conceding an overseas spot and he would've been given opportunities to play in that team and could've made it big this season.
#8 Shakib Al Hasan- Delhi Capitals
Shakib Al Hasan has been one of the most consistent overseas players in the IPL but this season, he has been forced to the sidelines due to the brilliance of Nabi and a couple of early injury scares. While the team's decision is justified, Shakib is surplus in this team right now and isn't needed. He didn't exactly set the league on fire last season and could've done better in a team like the Delhi Capitals who are having a great season up till now.
Delhi lack stability in their middle order and post their top 5, not one player has stepped up and batted them out of trouble. They have constantly faltered at chases and with the experience and form of Shakib, he would've been a great fit in this team.
Very wily with the ball and a very able batsman, he's a perfect all-rounder and had Delhi had him in his ranks, their team would've been much stronger than it already is.
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