IPL 2019: 5 Players who should have played in the first week but didn't

The first week of IPL 2019 is almost over and we have already seen some nail-biting cricket. There have been some thrilling encounters and the last ball finishes along with some brilliant individual performances. A lot has happened in the first 12 matches of the IPL from the ‘Mankad‘ controversy to some poor umpiring decisions while some top quality cricket has also been played.

It’s just the start of a long season and most of the teams are still trying to find their best combination. The teams are trying different permutation and combination in order to get their best playing XI. In the meantime, some exciting and experienced players have been sitting on the bench who should have definitely been on the field of their respective teams.

Here are five players whom we feel should’ve played in the first week but didn’t:

1. Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)

The South African captain is among one of the most experienced players in the CSK squad. Faf du Plessis is a match winner and it was due to his innings in the first qualifier against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, that the CSK had reached the final of the tournament last year. He has been an integral part of the Chennai team and is also rated highly by the skipper MS Dhoni.

This year though Chennai decided to go with just 3 overseas players in the first two matches and even won it comfortably. It’s baffling to see the experienced batsman warming the bench. They considered the fourth overseas player in the game against RR but preferred Mitch Santner. However, Du Plessis looks likely to play soon as Ambati Rayudu has struggled while opening the innings and the CSK might ponder over moving him down the order and let the South African open with Shane Watson.

2. Washington Sundar (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Washington Sundar is a three-dimensional player who can bat anywhere in the order, can bowl economical overs in the power play and is also a brilliant fielder. He has proved his mantle in the Tamil Naidu Premiere League and also had an impressive IPL in 2017 which was also his maiden appearance in the tournament.

He couldn’t do much last year and has been warming the bench this season till now. The RCB management definitely made an error in the season opener against CSK where they should have included Sundar on a turning pitch. Sundar can give a lot of balance to the side and rather should’ve played every game so far. He could be the answer for the team’s issues and it remains to be seen if the RCB include him in the upcoming matches.

3. Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians)

Ishan Kishan is touted by many as among the few wicket-keeper batsmen in the country waiting in the wings to replace none other than MS Dhoni after the legendary cricketer decides to retire from the limited-overs format. He had a good IPL in 2017 playing for the Gujarat Lions and was eventually picked by the Mumbai Indians the following year.

He was promoted to open the innings and impressed everyone immediately with his wide range of shots. He was also a safe pair of hands behind the stumps and was seen as a future star for the Mumbai Indians by many experts. But the Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma decided to open the innings this year himself with Quinton de Kock and eventually there was no spot left for Kishan in the playing XI. Since Kishan has batted in the middle overs for the Gujarat Lions in the past he should be given a chance by the team management.

4. Colin Munro (Delhi Capitals)

Along with Rohit Sharma, Colin Munro is the only player to score three T20I hundreds. He is known for his hard-hitting abilities at the top of the order and is also a useful bowler and an excellent fielder. The southpaw is known for his power game and has the ability to win matches single-handedly.

He had a bad IPL last season for the Delhi team where he averaged just 11.82 in 8 innings. Though with his skills and ability to go bonkers in the power play he will undoubtedly get his chances this year in the coming matches. Also with New Zealand board allowing their players to play the full IPL he can be a key player for the Delhi team towards the end of the season when many foreign players will depart to their respective countries for World Cup preparations.

5. Ish Sodhi (Rajasthan Royals)

The New Zealand spinner is among one of the best leg-spinners in the limited overs format. He was picked by the Rajasthan Royals team last year and played six games for them. He impressed everyone with his variations as he finished the tournament with an economy rate under 6.

The Rajasthan Royals have lost their first three matches this year so far and have conceded 175+ in all the matches. Their bowling and especially their spin department looks thin and Sodhi can be the perfect man to give some spice and variety to their attack. The New Zealand spinner can control the flow of runs from one end and is also known for picking important wickets and breaking partnerships.

~Written by Rohit Modi