IPL 2021: One player from each squad who is unlikely to be a part of the playing XI
IPL 2021 Auction was held in Chennai where a total of 57 players were bought for the 61 spots available. After the completion of the auction, all teams will now be working on the composition of their playing XI. Among the players who were bought in the auction, there could be some cricketers who might be benched for the whole season. This may depend on the team combination or the number of players with similar skill sets. In this article, we are listing out one sold player from each IPL team who could be benched in IPL 2021.
Cheteshwar Pujara – Chennai Super Kings
Cheteshwar Pujara was surprisingly bought in this IPL auction at his base price of 50 lakhs. Though he is a proven player in Test format his T20 batting is still questionable. He has scored 390 runs at a strike rate of 99.74 in 30 matches in his IPL career. Given the composition of the CSK squad, it could be possible that he may be benched for the whole season.
Jimmy Neesham – Mumbai Indians
Jimmy Neesham could not perform well last year and was picked by Mumbai Indians this year. However, Mumbai already has their overseas slots filled, and even in the back-up, they have got some overseas players who are better than Neesham. As a result, Neesham may have to sit out for the whole season.
Liam Livingstone – Rajasthan Royals
The English batsman Liam Livingstone was picked by Rajasthan Royals for his base price of 75 lakhs. However, Rajasthan has probably got the best set of overseas players in their teams. It may well mean that a player like Livingstone may have to warm the bench for the season.
KS Bharat – Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB have picked KS Bharat as a backup wicketkeeper in place of Parthiv Patel, who has retired from the league. However, AB de Villiers and Josh Philippe are already good choice wicket keepers who will be playing in the first playing XI. So, Bharat might have to warm the bench for the whole season.
Jalaj Saxena – Punjab Kings
Jalaj Saxena, who has a brilliant domestic record was bought by Punjab Kings for 30 lakhs. However, it looks difficult for the all-rounder to get a place in the playing XI of Punjab Kings. They already have a good set of middle-order Indian batsmen and all-rounders as well.
Mujeeb ur Rahman – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Afghan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final bidding round. However, they already have a big headache in selecting their four overseas picks due to which even Jonny Bairstow had to be benched. They also have spin options in the form of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi. This could mean that Mujeeb may have to sit out for the whole season.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Ben Cutting
KKR picked Ben Cutting at his base price of 75 lacs after getting unsold earlier. However, given the quality overseas players present in the KKR squad in the form of captain Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson, it may be very difficult for Ben Cutting to find a place in the playing XI even for one match.
Tom Curran – Delhi Capitals
Despite a poor performance as a bowler in the last auction, Tom Curran was bought by Delhi Capitals for 5.25 crore. The Delhi team has pacers in their rank in form of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Chris Woakes. As a result, it looks very difficult to see Curran in the Delhi XI.
