The 11th edition of Indian Premier League has been one of the closely fought tournaments in IPL history.
Almost every match has gone to the last over and batsmen and bowlers have shown some of the highest levels of skills. The IPL 2018 auction had seen every franchise going in with a set plan to buy players according to their needs and requirements.
Many players were brought as a backup to some players and are waiting for their turn out in the middle. They are extremely capable of holding their own in the middle, but for reasons best known to the team, management are sitting on the bench.
Let’s have a look at five such players who are yet to play a game in IPL 2018.
CARLOS BRATHWAITE (SRH)
West Indian Carlos Brathwaite was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 2 crore in the IPL 2018 auction. Brathwaite has been waiting for his chance to play; all the while SRH has been struggling to find batsmen who could put up a decent score on the board.
Brathwaite’s exploits for the West Indies team is known by everyone and no one can forget his four sixes off four balls in the WT20 2016 finals off Ben Stokes in the last over.
SRH is struggling to find a decent finisher to give them an impactful finisher and Brathwaite can just be that. He can hit the ball a long way and has the ability to do that from the first ball he faces. SRH can benefit from an explosive batsman like Carlos, in their gentlemen batting lineup.
MOEEN ALI (RCB)
Moeen Ali was overjoyed when he was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2018 auction for INR 1.7 crores. The England spinning all-rounder has created a reputation for himself in the limited overs format.
Ali boasts of strike rate of 128.85 in T20 format, where he has scored 2139 runs in 109 matches and picked up 69 wickets as well. Known as one of the most creative and reliable all-rounders in England setup, Ali is yet to play a game for RCB.
RCB has been lingering at near the bottom of the points table and they could have a use of his batting abilities, especially in absence of AB de Villiers. His spin will be an added advantage to the RCB bowling lineup, which has struggled in the tournament.
PARTHIV PATEL (RCB)
Parthiv Patel was a vital cog in the Mumbai Indians setup as their opening batsmen. Throughout the tournament, Parthiv has played for many franchises and in his 119 matches; he has scored 2322 runs at a strike rate of 117.21. His best season was for MI in IPL 2017 when he scored 395 runs for them at the top and helped MI win their record third title.
But he was bought by RCB as a backup of Quinton de Kock as a keeper, however, the presence of very good opening options in the team; Patel has not got chance to play in the IPL 2018. Given the batting displayed by RCB this season, Virat Kohli could only help himself, by bringing in one of the best utility players in IPL history.
DAVID WILLEY (CSK)
David Willey was snubbed in the IPL 2018 auction but was brought in as a replacement player by Chennai Super Kings. Willey is a brilliant left-arm fast bowler, who is good in both power plays and in the death. He is a very good exponent of yorkers and slower balls.
He was also used as an opening batsman and so far the experiment has yielded 2097 runs in 147 T20 matches with two centuries and a highest score of 118 and a strike rate of 142.55. He could easily be utilized at the top instead of Faf du Plessis, who is not in the best of forms. Willey will also provide Dhoni with a better bowler at the death, something he criticized his bowlers after CSK’s recent loss.
SANDEEP LAMICHHANE (DD)
Sandeep Lamichhane became the first Nepalese player to be picked in the IPL 2018 auction by Delhi Daredevils. The 17-year-old leg spinner is considered to be a young prodigy and has idolized none other than Shane Warne.
Lamichhane has been waiting for his chance to play for Delhi Daredevils, but the presence of two leggies in Amit Mishra and Rahul Tewatia in the squad has kept Sandeep from getting his debut. However, with the DD team looking good in their last few matches; Lamichhane might finally get a chance to become the first player from Nepal to play in the prestigious IPL.
