The IPL bench XI

The UAE leg of the IPL 2014 has come to an end, and it is Kings XI Punjab that has got off to a blistering start. So far, we have witnessed players in top form like Glenn Maxwell and Dwayne Smith as well as players struggling to find their form such as Mike Hussey and Amit Mishra. Players like Yuzvendra Chahal have grabbed the opportunity with both hands and are slowly making a name for themselves. Amidst all this, let us take a look at a few talented players, who are still waiting for an opportunity to make a name for themselves.The IPL BENCH XI,as I would like to call it, consists of players who have not yet featured in any of the matches so far. The team has been made keeping in mind the balance of the side and in compliance with the 4 foreigners rule.

#1 Mandeep Singh (KXIP)

The dashing opener from Punjab was a regular member of the Kings XI side last season, but this time he has failed to feature even once. With the sort of form being displayed by the Kings XI batsmen, it would be a herculean task for Mandeep to break into the starting eleven. But consistent performances in the team practice sessions may help him replace the slightly slow-scoring Cheteshwar Pujara.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: Cheteshwar Pujara

#2 Brendan Taylor (SRH)

One of the few bright spots in the struggling Zimbabwe cricket team is their captain Brendan Taylor: consistent with the bat, a fine wicket-keeper and an able leader, Taylor became the 3rd Zimbabwean player ever to make it to the IPL when he got picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the auction. But with Aaron Finch, David Warner, Darren Sammy and Dale Steyn being the 4 first-choice foreigners so far, chances looks hard to come by for Taylor. It seems like he would have to remain on the bench for the rest of the season, if not for injury or player rotation reasons.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: No one.

#3 Gurkeerat Singh (KXIP)

One of the other talented local boys in the Kings XI side, Gurkeerat Singh has been in some good form in the domestic level. He is capable of big hits, and he is a terrific fielder; not many would have forgotten his catch of the tournament last time around. But all said, it is really hard for him to break into the Kings XI starting line-up, given the touch his teammates find themselves to be in. His wicket-keeping abilities may help him replace Wriddhiman Saha.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: Wriddhiman Saha

#4 Moises Henriques (SRH)

A key performer in the Australian T20 format, Henriques has been a part of several IPL sides but hasn't been able to cement his place anywhere. This time around, he is with Sunrisers Hyderabad. A big-hitting batsman and a handy medium pace bowler, he is a valuable player to have in the side. But with Aaron Finch, David Warner and Dale Steyn firmly holding onto 3 of the 4 foreigners spots, Henriques will have to oust Darren Sammy from the side to get a game for himself, which seems unlikely at the moment.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: Darren Sammy

#5 Thisara Perera (KXIP)

The only reason Thisara Perera has not featured in any of the matches so far is Glen Maxwell, his direct competition. David Miller, George Bailey and Mitchell Johnson are the other 3 foreign players for Kings XI, who all have their specific roles. Despite all his obvious abilities, currently there seem to be no way for him to break into the squad. He is expected to leave with the Sri Lankan side to England soon, which will probably save him from being on the bench for the whole season.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: No one, unless 1 of the 4 foreign players get injured.

#6 Saurabh Tiwary (DD)

Once a match-winner for Mumbai Indians, Saurabh Tiwary could not really live up to his reputation in the later editions of the IPL. Tiwary is a part of Delhi Daredevils side this time. DD has a lot of players like him: failing to deliver despite having the reputation of doing so in the past editions (say, Mayank Agarwal and Manoj Tiwary) or those who have a reputation in the domestic level and trying to showcase it in the IPL (say, Kedar Jadhav). With Manoj and Agarwal having already gotten enough chances, Saurabh is likely to get his due soon.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: Mayank Agarwal/ Kedar Jadhav/ Manoj Tiwary

#7 Parvez Rasool (SRH)

The soft-spoken all-rounder from Jammu & Kashmir broke into national attention with a great 2012-13 domestic season. He was a part of the Pune Warriors India squad last time but managed to get only 2 matches. This year, he represents Sunrisers Hyderabad. But with the leggies Amit Mishra and Karn Sharma being a part of the playing X1, Rasool hasn't got his opportunity, yet. He may get a look-in in case the team decides to go with 3 spinners sometime or if the team feels going in with 2 leg-spinners would not be effective.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad:Karn Sharma

#8 Krishmar Santokie (MI)

The left-arm medium pacer from West Indies impressed everyone at the World T20 2014 with his tricky variations. It has not helped him oust the most consistent performer for Mumbai Indians over the years, Lasith Mailnga, though. But, with Malinga set to leave with the Sri Lankan side to England, Santokie may get a chance to prove himself. However, he still has competition from the likes of Marchant De Lange and Josh Hazlewood.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: Lasith Malinga

#9 Siddarth Kaul (DD)

Siddharth Kaul has shown enough promise in his few IPL outings so far and has the pedigree, too. Similar to Sandeep Sharma of Kings X1 Punjab, his strength lies in his ability to swing the ball.

A promising fast bowler, Kaul may get a few matches in the later parts of the tournament in case the team decides to rest or change any of the Indian quickies - Mohammed Shami and Jaidev Unadkat - in the side or if they want to bolster the bowling line-up which has only 4 front-line bowlers in Shami, Unadkat, Shahbaz Nadeem and Wayne Parnell.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad:Jaidev Unadkat

#10 Abu Nechim (RCB)

Abu Nechim claims a spot in this side after a fierce competiton with fellow Royal Challengers Bangalore seamer Harshal Patel. Both Harshal Patel and Abu Nechim have performed well at the domestic level and have improved a lot over the years. But pace is one area where Nechim excels over Patel. With Allan Donald’s coaching giving Varun Aaron and Ashok Dinda a newly found vigor, both have not gotten a chance so far. But Aaron’s injury concerns may soon open up a chance for either one of them. They may have to face competition from Sandeep Warrier, another promising pace bowler from Kerala, as well.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: Ashok Dinda/ Varun Aaron

#11 Kuldeep Yadav (KKR)

KKR have always had some special spinners in their squad, especially Sunil Narine who has been instrumental for the Kolkata Knight Riders over the years. They had Sachitra Senanayake last year, and this time they have the young left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep displayed his talents with the ball at the ICC U-19 World Cup recently, claiming a hat-trick as well. But with Shakib Al Hasan and Piyush Chawla neatly playing their roles of the supporting spinners in the starting line-up, the young left-arm chinaman's chances to feature in the KKR XI looks bleak.

Player who could probably be replaced in the squad: Piyush Chawla