IPL 2018: Team-wise players who will be benched this season

The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2018) promises to be bigger and better than the previous seasons. All the sides are revamped this season and carry a new look. Iconic players who represented a franchise for many seasons will be seen donning new colors. In the auction, in a bid to revamp their respective teams, the franchises made sure that they spent most of their purse and thereby quelled their satisfaction.

It is a dream for any cricketer to be playing the IPL as most players will be privy to experience they have perhaps not had. However, we have witnessed many players in the past who were picked and then benched for the entire season. Usman Khawaja for instance. With the number of players available in each squad, it is very tough for the management to accommodate all the players in the XI.

Here is a teamwise analysis of players who will be benched this season:

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

The Chennai Super Kings are making a comeback to the IPL after a two-year long wait. At the auction, the Chennai-based franchise decided to go with experience over youth. They added a lot many senior statesmen in their squad whilst retaining the core of their side. However, with so many senior players, we might have to witness a complete revamp of their squad in the next two or three years.

Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo and Lungi Ngidi look to be CSK’s most likely overseas-4 in the playing XI. Hence, we might witness players like Sam Billings and Mitchell Santner benched for this season. CSK don’t require an opener and a wicket-keeper in their XI. So, Sam Billings is very unlikely to make it into the team. Also, with the services of Ravindra Jadeja already available, CSK might think twice to play Mitchell Santner.

Possible players to be benched: Sam Billings and Mitchell Santner