IPL 2024: Flop Indian XI of first week

It has been a frenetic start to the Indian Premier League 2024 season. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill made winning starts to their campaign as the captains for their respective sides. Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, suffered a loss on his return to Mumbai Indians as the skipper of the side. 

Indian players made their mark with the bat and ball in the first week of the IPL 2024 season. Most of the established stars have done well for their sides to make a memorable start to the season.

There were some Indian stars though who failed to get going. The stars in question were hyped to have a great season. Barring players like Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kuldeep Yadav and a few others none of the Indian stars put up a decent performance. 

Here we take a look at the flop Indian XI from the first week

Openers – Ishan Kishan (MI) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR)

After all the off-the-field issues that have plagued Ishan Kishan recently, IPL 2024 was seen as an opportunity for him. The 25-year-old though flattered to deceive against GT as he was out for a four-ball duck to debutant Azmatullah Omarzai. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who set IPL 2023 on fire was expected to do the same yet again. Against a below-par LSG bowling unit, Jaiswal managed to score only 24 runs before gifting his wicket to Mohsin Khan.

Middle Order – Rajat Patidar (RCB), Shreyas Iyer (KKR), and Jitesh Sharma (PBKS)

The last few months have been tough for Rajat Patidar with the bat. The 30-year-old saw his debut Test series end in struggle with the bat. The same continued when Rajat Patidar was out for a three-ball duck against CSK.

Yet another Indian batter who has been struggling is none other than KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer. The 29-year-old is looking to use IPL 2024 as a platform to restart his run back to the Indian side. In the first game of the season against SRH, Shreyas Iyer could only manage a duck from two balls.

Jitesh Sharma was picked for team India after his exploits with the bat during the IPL 2023 season. During the season-opening game versus Delhi Capitals, Jitesh Sharma could muster only nine runs with the bat. His innings ended when he tried to go for an ill-advised reverse sweep and was stumped by Rishabh Pant. 

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya (MI), Krunal Pandya (LSG), and Vijay Shankar (GT)

Hardik Pandya has been in the eye of the storm ever since his return to Mumbai Indians. His very first game as captain of MI was against former side Gujarat Titans. It turned out to be a game to forget for Hardik as he scored just 11 with the bat. With the ball, the 30-year-old bowled three overs and gave away 30 runs.

Just like his younger brother even Krunal Pandya had a miserable day out in the field. The 33-year-old went wicketless from his four overs and scored just three runs with the bat. Vijay Shankar who has become a forgotten commodity in Indian cricket was largely invisible against MI. Batting at No. 6, the 33-year-old scored an unbeaten six from five balls while rest of the batting order contributed well. 

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande (CSK), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH)

Chennai Super Kings bowlers Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande were taken to the cleaners by the RCB batters. Playing his first game for a while, Deepak Chahar looked rusty in the early part of his spell. The pacer ended his day with 1/37 from his four overs with the ball.

Tushar Deshpande though was expensive as he was carted to all parts of the stadium to concede 47 runs from his four overs. Yet another Indian star who is looking to make a comeback to the national team is veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The 34-year-old bowled four overs and gave away 51 runs without picking up a wicket. 

Flop Indian XI from first week of IPL 2024

Ishan Kishan (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya (c), Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar