IPL 2021: 5 players who disappointed in the first half of IPL 14

These five players came into IPL 14 with much hype, but failed to perform up to expectations.

The BCCI was forced to suspend the IPL 2021 tournament due to an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the franchise bio-bubbles, as multiple players, staff, and coaching staff tested positive for the virus.

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Only 29 matches were finished when the IPL 2021 was postponed indefinitely by the BCCI and IPL governing council. However, these many matches were enough for the experts and fans to single out some performers who despite their reputations and past performances, failed to come to the party for their respective teams.

Therefore Team COC presents five players who disappointed in the first half of the IPL 14

HARDIK PANDYA (MI)

It was supposed to be a huge comeback for Hardik Pandya as he was looking to stake a claim for a Test return with the IPL 2021. Hardik Pandya had returned to the Indian limited-overs team in 2020 and had been one of the best finishers with the bat, but hadn’t bowled much, something that was requisite for getting back in the Test team.

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However, he picked up a shoulder niggle near the start of the IPL 2021, and the team management didn’t want him to bowl. That shoulder niggle also impacted his batting as he managed just 52 runs in 6 innings with a best of 16, something not expected from Hardik, who scored freely in IPL 2020 a few months back.  

YUZVENDRA CHAHAL (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were lucky to play in Chennai, a place where spinners were supposed to rule the roost and Virat Kohli had at his disposal, the best leg-spinner in India, Yuzvendra Chahal.

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Chepauk pitch played as per reputation, slowing down in the second innings for both the teams and often captains winning the toss, chose to bat first and defend targets. Though many of the other RCB bowlers did well, their main strike bowler Chahal failed to perform.

Chahal picked 4 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 47.50 and economy of 8.26. It was disappointing to see Chahal performing this way, especially as many had seen him India’s trump card in the T20 World Cup.

STEVE SMITH (DC)

Steve Smith was bought by the Delhi Capitals for just Rs 2.20 crores and many called it a steal. Many thought that Steve Smith might not get many chances to play for DC, but instead, he played 6 out of 8 matches in the tournament.

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Smith made 104 runs in 6 matches with the best of 34* at an average of 26.00 and at a strike rate of 111.82. Smith batted at no.4 spot and more often than not, struggled to get into a rhythm and get the singles and doubles and rotate strike.  

NICHOLAS POORAN (PBKS)

Nicholas Pooran had been one of the brightest spots for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) side in IPL 2020, as he showed signs of becoming an asset for his team both at the top of the batting order and as a finisher. He had made 353 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2020 at a strike rate of 169.71.

Something similar was expected of him in the IPL 2020 as well, given that PBKS played five of their first matches in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, known to be a batting paradise.

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However, IPL 2021’s first half proved to be a nightmare for Pooran, as he made just 28 runs in 7 matches including the best of 19. He also made a record four ducks in the IPL 2021 tournament and just looked out of sorts despite the franchise backing him all the way.  

DAVID WARNER (SRH)

Though David Warner’s record for IPL 2021 shows he made 193 runs in 5 matches for the SRH team with two half-centuries and a best of 57; the whole story seemed to be completely different.

Warner, who had been a lynchpin of the SRH team for a long time and even captained them to the IPL 2016 title win, has been amongst runs since then making 848, 641, and 692 runs in IPL 2016, 2017, and 2019 seasons and clocking 548 runs in IPL 2020 as well.

The most striking feature about his struggles with the bat was that his runs in IPL 2021 came at a strike rate of just 110.28, which is well below his overall IPL strike rate of 140.13 and his T20 career strike rate of 140.80.

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However, the IPL 2021 proved to be a nightmare for Warner, not only as a batsman but as a captain as well, as SRH were at the bottom of the points table when IPL 2021 was suspended with one win from 7 matches.

This even led to SRH removing him from captaincy and handing over the reins to Kane Williamson.

But it can be said that David Warner has one of the most disappointing seasons in IPL 2021 and many expect this to be his last outing with the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise, given the way he was ousted from the leadership position.