IPL 2018: Best Benched XI of the 3rd week

It has been another exhilarating week of cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and one can only take their hat off and bow for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. They well and truly have been the team of the week alongside Chennai Super Kings, but the way their bowling unit is pulling miracles after miracles has been the story of the season.

The Chennai Super Kings clinched an absolute belter of a contest against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chasing down a humongous 206 runs, Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni saved them from severe embarrassment and took their side over the line. Whilst Rajasthan and Hyderabad provided a knockout punch to Mumbai, Delhi made the news for some non-cricketing action.

One thing we often notice in the IPL is a plethora of players not representing their side in the XI in the entire season. Since the management has to stick to their ideologies and permutations, a few players are always at the receiving end of things. Here’s the best XI of those players who were at the receiving end and had to sit on the bench for the side.

Openers – Alex Hales and Parthiv Patel

Alex Hales was roped in as a replacement of David Warner by the Sunrisers Hyderabad. They wanted him to play the attacking role Warner did for so long, but he can only do so if he gets into the XI. He is yet to make his debut for the franchise and looking at their batting woes, the day might be not far away when he finally gets a game.

Parthiv Patel is being held back by the Royal Challengers Bangalore as they have another sophisticated wicket-keeping option in Quinton de Kock. Parthiv Patel can be a good attacking option in the powerplay overs, but for him to get a game this season, they have to drop De Kock, which might not happen.

Middle Order – Colin Munro, JP Duminy, Gurkeerat Singh Mann

Colin Munro is one of the most devastating cricketers in the T20 circuit right now. On his day, he can win games for fun with the bat. But once again, he was kept on the bench as Jason Roy and Prithvi Shaw got an opportunity to open.

Another outstanding T20 player in JP Duminy is not getting a game to prove his credentials. The Mumbai Indians have a star-studded setup and it’s hard for them to get him in. But considering Kieron Pollard‘s awful form, he’s the only person Rohit Sharma can look up to. Youngster Gurkeerat is still warming the bench and is also expected to get a game soon.

All-rounders – Carlos Brathwaite, Axar Patel

One of the most powerful strikers in the cricketing fraternity right now, Carlos Brathwaite needs absolutely no introduction. He is more of a batting all-rounder and that’s one reason the Sunrisers are reluctant to go for him in the playing XI. But considering Nabi’s failure in the last two games, he might get a chance in their next game.

Axar Patel was woeful in the first two games for Punjab, conceding way too many runs for his standard. That eventually led to him getting sacked and is yet to find a place in the playing XI. Axar was retained by Kings XI prior to the auction and it must be disappointing for the fans to see him not got many games.

Bowlers – Tim Southee, Mohit Sharma, Adam Milne, Mohammed Shami

Tim Southee should be getting more games considering Virat Kohli‘s other bowling options have been slaughtered by the opposition batters. The Kiwi is a deceptive and canny bowler, who can bring a lot to the table for Kohli. Adam Milne was roped in by Mumbai as Pat Cummins’ replacement and is yet to get a game for the coveted franchise.

Another two big names missing out the action in week 3 were Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma. Whilst Shami was not very great with the ball, Mohit Sharma wasn’t bad. But the Punjab management won’t mind as his replacement Ankit Rajpoot is doing phenomenally well.

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