IPL 2019: One player from each team who might not get a single game

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for the first two weeks of Indian Premier League 2019, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings taking on their bitter rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening encounter at Chepauk.

Over the years with the rise in popularity of the IPL among players, the cricket boards around the globe and the International Cricket Council have allotted an unofficial window for this million-dollar mega event to take place.

But this year marks a new challenge as India's general elections, the IPL, and the Cricket World Cup is taking place simultaneously in the time span of 3 months. Hence, a lot of changes have taken place in the scheduling of the league.

With few countries playing some International cricket during IPL and with individual strategies adopted by franchises, some of the biggest names in World Cricket might not play a single game despite being in their squad. On that note, let us look at one player from each team who might not get a single game in this IPL.

#1 Chennai Super Kings - Murali Vijay

Murali VIjay

The secret of the success of the Chennai Super Kings has been their core group and strong bench strength, along with a captain who doesn't believe in frequent changes. This is why some players almost always do not get a game.

Murali Vijay is one such player who might not play a single game in this IPL. 2018 saw a successful opening combo in Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson. While the former ended the tournament as CSK's leading run-scorer, the latter hit a scintillating century in the final to see his team through.

South African captain, Faf du Plessis stepped in the latter stages of the tournament at the top and won a game single-handedly. The last T20 game Murali Vijay played was in the last year's IPL which was his only game in 2018. So, it won't be a surprise if he continues to miss out.

#2 Delhi Capitals - Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma

The Delhi franchise has gone through another revamp with a new name in Delhi Capitals and made numerous changes in the auction table as well. Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma was one such purchase. But it is unlikely that he will get a single game, as Delhi's pace battery already has some of the biggest names in their XI.

New Zealand's pace sensation Trent Boult will be leading the bowling attack, as he is available for the entire duration of the tournament. His will be joined by Kagiso Rabada whose combination will be lethal. They also have the services of Chris Morris, whom they retained before the 2018 auctions.

Although Delhi finished at the bottom of the table, they created huge setbacks at the end of the season as they knocked Mumbai Indians out of the tournament. With youngsters in Avesh Khan & Harshal Patel providing excellent T20 skills, it might be hard for Ishant to stake a claim in the playing XI.

#3 Kings XI Punjab - Murugan Ashwin

Murugan Ashwin

Kings XI Punjab was the busiest team during the IPL auction as they bought 13 players - the most by any team in 2019. Their biggest buy was Tamil Nadu's mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy for 8.4 Cr. All eyes will be on the young spinner come March 25.

With Tamil Nadu's Ravichandran Ashwin leading the side, Varun will be looking forward to forming a wonderful partnership with his captain. One of the finds of 2018 IPL was Afghan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, as he outfoxed the likes of Virat Kohli and proved a vital force in the powerplay.

With such a strong spinner trio, it would be difficult for Punjab's third TN spinner Murugan Ashwin to break into the playing XI. He is a handy back-up but it is unlikely that he might play a game this season.

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders - Joe Denly

Joe Denly

Kolkata Knight Riders did exceedingly well in the 2018 edition of IPL, despite having minimal resources in their squad. 2019 auction saw them buy five overseas players to strengthen their squad. England's Joe Denly has been picked up by an IPL team for the first time.

Knight Riders have a strong core of overseas players. With Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, they have probably the best T20 players in their line-up. These three impact players will be in the line-up for every match and the fourth overseas player could be a fast bowler.

Knight Riders have a strong top-order and it would be difficult for any player to find a spot in the line-up. Joe Denly is added as a backup player and with if there are no injury issues, Denly might sit out for the entire duration of the tournament.

#5 Mumbai Indians - Aditya Tare

Aditya Tare

Mumbai Indians have always been a favorite going into the tournament. IPL 2019 will again be the same, as they have a strong squad comprising of Indians and overseas stars. Mumbai Indians had a plethora of openers in their squad. In Rohit Sharma, Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav, Quinton de Kock, and Ishan Kishan they have a problem of plenty.

Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan will be the performing the wicket-keeping duties, as they will be featuring regularly in the playing XI. Aditya Tare will be acting as a backup for both those players, but with a core as strong as that of Mumbai Indians, it would take a huge effort for Tare to be a part of a single game.

Tare's antics in 2014 which saw him hit a final ball six off James Faulkner could fit him in the side as a finisher. But with the Pandya brothers, Pollard and Ben Cutting in their ranks, he might be overlooked for the role as well.

#6 Rajasthan Royals - Steve Smith

Steve Smith

Rajasthan Royals suffered a huge jolt before the start of the 2018 season as they lost their captain Steve Smith after being banned for a year, due to his role in the ball tampering saga. Despite qualifying for the knock-outs, he was duly missed as their middle-order was woefully out of form during the entire season.

Royals might miss him this IPL season as well due to multiple reasons. His ban gets over on March 29 which is a week later than the start of the IPL 2019. Steven Smith's participation in the IPL is in jeopardy, as he left the Bangladesh Premier League mid-way due to an injury, and has also undergone surgery.

However, the injury is not too severe, as Cricket Australia has stated that his rehab is going well and the former Australian captain is likely to recover well in advance for the World Cup 2019.

#7 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Gurkeerat Mann Singh

Gurkeerat Mann Singh

Virat Kohli's men were confident of their success before the start of the 2018 season, as they build an all-round side as per view of many experts. But just like their previous campaigns, they failed to deliver at the end of the season.

One of the major drawbacks of their failures has been the very minimal contribution of their lower middle order. RCB team management has taken steps to rectify it by inducting valuable foreign and domestic players. West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer and Australia's Marcus Stoinis will join the likes of Moeen Ali and Colin de Grandhomme to strengthen the middle order.

They have also bought the new sensation Shivam Dubey, who hit five sixes in an over just the day before the auction. They have roped in Gurkeerat Singh who has batted in the lower order for Punjab. But it is unlikely that Singh will get a game because of the presence of foreign stars.

#8 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib al Hasan

Sunrisers Hyderabad has always possessed massive bench strength right from their entry in 2013. That was evident in the last season, as they almost won the season, despite losing their captain (David Warner) who had been their top-scorer in every season since 2014 which includes two orange caps.

Even in this season, they were ready to trade an Indian in-form impact player in Shikhar Dhawan and still look stronger than before. Tom Moody and his backroom staff have to be credited for maintaining the squad and not disturbing the balance. 2019 season will provide a new challenge for them, as might miss the services of Shakib al Hasan due to his national commitments.

With Bangladesh tour of New Zealand getting over by March 20 and with the deadline for Bangladesh players to return for their World Cup preparation on April 15, he might be available for only 3 to 4 games. And, the emergence of Vijay Shankar and the experience of Mohammed Nabi available, they might opt to play these two instead of Shakib.

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