IPL 2018: Stars in 2017, failures this season

IPL has proved to be a breeding ground for lots of budding cricketers around the world.

Players have become overnight stars on the virtue of their performances in the IPL. However, IPL is known for its uncertainties.

With quick rewards come sudden failures too. Players who get the limelight in one season sometimes struggle to live up to the high expectations of the fans and their own franchise and thus fade away from people's memories.

The same has happened this season as well. Some players who were in top form last year are completely out of sorts this year.

We will look at four such performers from IPL 2017 who failed to deliver in IPL 2018.

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#4 Manoj Tiwary

Tiwary has struggled to find a permanent place in KXIP's playing XI

Manoj Tiwary is a seasoned domestic campaigner and has years of experience of playing in Indian conditions.

Considering this fact, IPL teams have picked Tiwary in their sides. Tiwary showed his class last year when he played some crucial knocks for Rising Pune Supergiant.

The Bengal batsman scored 324 runs at a steady average of 32.40 and a high strike-rate of 137.28.

However, he has been disappointing this season. Playing for Kings XI Punjab, Tiwary has scored only 12 runs in the four matches that he has played and has been in and out of the side. Tiwary was expected to put up a better show.

#3 Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat's poor form has resulted in Rajasthan Royals' inconsistent run in IPL 2018

Jaydev Unadkat became the most expensive Indian player when he was bought by Rajasthan Royals at the price of 11.5 crores.

Unadkat, who was one of the main reasons for Rising Pune Supergiant reaching the IPL final last year, was expected to be Rajasthan Royals' go-to bowler this season.

However, Unadkat is going through a disastrous season. While he took 24 wickets in 12 matches last season, he had taken only 11 wickets in the 14 matches in 2018 so far.

The thing that has hurt Royals the most is the drastic change in the economy rate, which has increased from last year's 7.02 to 9.37 this year.

Unadkat's lacklustre performance is a prime reason for Royals inconsistent show this year.

#2 Washington Sundar

Sundar hasn't been able to deliver for RCB

In IPL 2017, a 17-year-old boy mesmerised everyone with his control and temperament. Washington Sundar was considered to be the find of the tournament last season, following which he also made his international debut last year.

In IPL 2017, bowling most of his overs in the powerplays, Sundar bowled at an outstanding economy of 6.16 runs per over.

He impressed everyone with his ability to perform in big-match situations. Owing to which he was bought by RCB for 3.2 crores at the auction.

However, Sundar hasn't been able to recreate last year's magic this IPL. In the seven matches, this season the off-spinner has taken only four wickets and given away runs at an economy of 9.60 runs per over.

He was eventually dropped from RCB's playing XI. Sundar will be hoping to make a strong comeback next year.

#1 Ben Stokes

Stokes has failed to do justice to the big bucks spent on him

Ben Stokes took the IPL by storm in his debut season last year. Playing for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, the England all-rounder scored 316 runs with an average of 31.60 and a strike-rate of 142.98.

He also played his part with the ball taking 12 wickets with a brilliant economy of 7.18 runs per over. Owing to this stupendous display, Stokes was named the Man of the tournament.

But things have gone upside down for him this year. Stokes became the most expensive player at the auction second year in a row when he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping sum of 12.5 crores.

Royals expected Stokes to play a huge role in their IPL campaign but Stokes' performance has been below par.

He has scored a meagre 196 runs in 13 matches at a mediocre average of 16.33 and a low strike-rate of 121.73.

He has failed with the ball too as he taken only eight wickets in 13 matches. Stokes has certainly been one of the biggest disappointments of IPL 2018.

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