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The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) may have been one of the most tightly contested editions in history, with all 8 teams managing to win at least 6 games in the group stage.
Although the Mumbai Indians were head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, all the teams were in with a shot of making the playoffs when only a few games of the league phase were left to be played.
Many players made their mark on IPL 2020, and justified the big bucks that were shelled during the auction and the earlier cycle of player retentions. KL Rahul, David Warner and Jasprit Bumrah were among those who backed up their hefty paychecks with consistent performances.
IPL 2020: One expensive player from each team who should be released
However, various other players failed to deliver despite being amongst the highest earners in the competition and might be released ahead of IPL 2021, which is mere months away.
Here is one player from each team who should be released ahead of the next edition of the IPL.
#8 Rajasthan Royals - Steve Smith
Steve Smith is the highest earner in the RR side with a salary of 12.5 crores, but he was far from his best in IPL 2020. The team's skipper started off well - much like the rest of his team - but his form tapered off and he finished with just 311 runs in 14 games at an average of 25.91. Often trying to play ridiculous shots against the opposition's best bowlers, he did his questionable T20 credentials no favours.
Smith's captaincy also came under the scanner, as he made questionable decisions such as giving Jaydev Unadkat the penultimate over against RCB ahead of Jofra Archer. The batting order never quite had a settled look to it, while various Indian pacers were tried without much success.
Smith might still be a part of RR's plans, but they can't afford to retain him on his current contract and will be best served releasing him into the auction pool. Even if they don't buy the former Australian captain back, the likes of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes are more than capable of captaining the side.
#7 Kings XI Punjab - Glenn Maxwell
Signed by KXIP for 10.75 crores in the IPL 2020 auction, Glenn Maxwell was a horrible flop in the tournament. He managed only 108 runs in 13 innings at an average of 15.42 and a strike rate of 101.88, and picked up only 4 wickets with the ball.
Maxwell was a liability in every sense of the word, as he either got stuck at the crease and played too many dot balls or got out early to expose KXIP's feeble lower-middle order. He even had the audacity to openly criticise his batting position, despite looking like a cat on a hot tin roof every time he came to the crease.
Maxwell has scored only two fifties in his last 5 IPL seasons, and only 6 overall in 82 IPL games. The Aussie's reputation took a major hit in IPL 2020, and we may see teams being very reluctant to spend big on him in the future.
#6 Delhi Capitals - Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer was bought for INR 7.75 crores by DC in the IPL 2020 auction, and they showed great confidence in his abilities by spending such a big sum of money. However, they didn't exhibit the same faith in him during the tournament.
Hetmyer came in at No. 3 in his first IPL 2020 game, but a laboured innings saw him getting immediately demoted to No. 6 in the next game. The West Indian played a couple of crucial cameos, such as his unbeaten 40-odd in Qualifier 2 against SRH, but he was often sent in far too low to truly make an impact.
Moreover, the only all-rounder who made an impact for DC in IPL 2020 was Marcus Stoinis, and he might be best suited to the opener's role in T20 cricket. Shreyas Iyer and the management could consider bringing in a quality all-rounder who could bat at No. 6 or No. 7, and their strong Indian batting core will more than make up for any lost strength in the department.
If DC choose to retain Hetmyer, they'll need to unleash him by sending him in at No. 3 or No. 4.
#5 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey is the second-highest earner in the SRH squad after David Warner, and although he did put in a couple of Man of the Match performances, he didn't do enough to justify the 11-crore contract he is on.
Pandey's highest strike rate in a single season in the last 4 years has been 130.79 (in 2019), and he has not hit more than 3 fifties in a single campaign. The Karnataka batsman was promoted to No. 3 in IPL 2020, and while captain Warner praised his efforts at the end of the tournament, he wasn't worthy of the promotion.
Pandey needs to be released by SRH, and at 31 years old, it wouldn't be a surprise if he fetches a significantly lesser sum in the auction.
#4 Kolkata Knight Riders - Pat Cummins
The most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history at 15.5 crores, Pat Cummins picked up only 12 wickets in 14 games. The Aussie did have his moments, such as a match-winning spell of 4/34 against RR, but he didn't even come close to justifying his exorbitant price tag.
KKR must release him ahead of the next IPL, and after his performance this year, he's guaranteed to have lesser demand. Eoin Morgan's side can either snap him up at a lesser price or choose to move on from him, and should they choose the latter, they have pacers such as Lockie Ferguson who could easily fill in.
#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Chris Morris
RCB's biggest disappointment among marquee players in IPL 2020 was Aaron Finch, but the Aussie white-ball captain cost only 4.4 crores and could be given another shot with the side. Chris Morris, on the other hand, was among the team's best performers in the UAE after recovering from injury.
However, despite the South African's decent showing, he didn't do enough to warrant a 10-crore salary. Morris is a good bowler who gets movement with the new ball and can contribute some quick runs with the bat, but he isn't a proper all-rounder.
RCB have struggled to find a pace-bowling all-rounder for some time now, with the likes of Shane Watson and Marcus Stoinis tried and released. It might be time for them to move on from this objective and find a solid Indian batsman who can shore up the middle order, apart from a quality overseas pacer such as Mitchell Starc.
With the superstar players in the team swallowing a significant amount of the funds (Virat Kohli earns 17 crores), Morris should be released by RCB. But he is certainly one who could be bought back for a lesser price.
#2 Chennai Super Kings - Kedar Jadhav
Perhaps the easiest player to choose for this list, Kedar Jadhav, who earns INR 7.8 crores, must be released by CSK. The stocky batsman hasn't maintained a strike rate of above 100 in two consecutive IPL seasons now, and is so far beyond his prime that he might even go unsold once he is released into the auction pool.
Jadhav hasn't bowled a ball in the IPL as well, and can't even be considered an all-rounder in the T20 format. The 35-year-old also lost the trust of the faithful CSK fans with his nightmare displays in IPL 2020, and with younger players like N Jagadeesan and Ruturaj Gaikwad coming through the ranks, his time at the franchise is all but over.
#1 Mumbai Indians - Nathan Coulter-Nile
Most of MI's players did splendidly in IPL 2020, and the only weak link in the side seemed to be that of the third pacer's. Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah established themselves as indispensable to the team, but Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson and Dhawal Kulkarni all failed to impress as part of the supporting cast.
Among these players, Coulter-Nile, who was bought for 8 crores by MI in the IPL 2020 auction, might be the one to face the axe. Seemingly low on fitness and struggling to hit the right lengths at any real pace, the Aussie was the only player in the side who seemed to be there just to fill up a spot.
MI are already next to invincible on paper, and if they re-invest the 8 crores they will free up by releasing Coulter-Nile, they could go on achieve even more history in the years to come.
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