IPL 2021: One capped player from each team who might be benched in UAE leg

Few of the capped Indian players might not get a chance to play in the IPL due to team combinations and conditions in the UAE.

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Tim Southee
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Tim Southee. (Photo by JEREMY NG/AFP via Getty Images)

Tim Southee
Tim Southee. (Photo by JEREMY NG/AFP via Getty Images)

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will resume from Sunday (19 September). The first half of the IPL, held in India, had a lot of twists, turns and dramas. While it had new players stepping up like Chetan Sakariya, Karthik Tyagi and Avesh Khan, it also had few players on the sidelines in the form of Krishnappa Gowtham, Jimmy Neesham and Oshane Thomas.

With the teams forming the core of the squad, some capped Indian and foreign players might not get to play the remainder of the season too, due to team combinations, spin-friendly tracks in the UAE and owing to only four foreign players being allowed.

With Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Mumbai Indians (MI), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) forming the core of the squad, players like Dushmantha Chameera, Jayant Yadav and Gowtham might not even get to play one game in the UAE leg of IPL.

On that note, here is one capped player from each team who might be benched:

1. Chennai Super Kings – Krishnappa Gowtham 

Krishnappa Gowtham
Krishnappa Gowtham. (Photo Source: Instagram)

The Karnataka all-rounder made heads turn when he was snapped up for over 10 crores earlier this year in the IPL auction. While many speculated that due to the heavy price tag he might play, that was not to be as he kept warming the benches for the first seven games. Many suggested that it might be due to the presence of Ravindra Jadeja, and Moeen Ali in the team.

Gowtham is pretty similar to what Jadeja is for CSK. The only difference is the senior statesman is a gun fielder and saves plenty of runs. Gowtham might have to wait for his chances yet again, as CSK skipper MS Dhoni firmly believes in giving players a long rope in the team. Nonetheless, Gowtham can still learn a lot watching icons of the game like Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja, and Moeen play.

2. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Dushmantha Chameera 

Dushmantha Chameera
Dushmantha Chameera. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The Sri Lankan fast bowler was signed as a replacement player for Kane Richardson for the UAE leg of IPL. Chameera had a productive limited-overs series versus against India, where his bowling was appreciated by Rahul Dravid. Although he didn’t take a lot of wickets, Chameera was still effective in troubling the Indian batters with tight lines and lengths and is a good addition to the RCB squad.

Over the years, RCB has faced a lot of problems due to their bowlers leaking runs in the death overs, and also while defending targets. But things drastically changed this year, and the team finally has found able bowlers in Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kyle Jamieson.

Chameera might not get to play a game this season, but his first-hand experience of the IPL might allow him to add few tricks into his armory.

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Sherfane Rutherford 

Sherfane Rutherford (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)

West Indian hard-hitting batter Sherfane Rutherford first made a mark in the Global T-20 league by displaying a ferocious brand of cricket. He carried that form for the West Indies B team, where he scored 230 runs. His blitz lower down the order earned him a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) contract. Rutherford’s CPL hitting also paved his way into the IPL.

After playing six games for Mumbai Indians, he was snapped up by SRH in the IPL auctions. During the first half of IPL, the West Indian batter didn’t get to play games owing to four foreign players. SRH has the likes of Kane Williamson, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, which makes Rutherford’s inclusion in the playing XI in the UAE leg of IPL a tough one.

4. Punjab Kings – Nathan Ellis 

Nathan Ellis
Nathan Ellis. (Photo by Md Manik/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Australian pacer Nathan Ellis became a household name when he picked up a hat trick on his T20I debut. Ellis’ perseverance and hard work in the domestic circuit bore fruit when the Australian selectors included him in the five-match T20I series against Bangladesh recently. His dream run in the team continued when he was also included as one of the travelling reserves for the T20 World Cup.

And finally, it capped off with Punjab Kings signing him as a replacement player for the remainder of the tournament. Ellis will play in place of fellow Australian pacer Riley Meredith. The PKBS franchise has bowlers like Mohammed Shami, Adil Rashid, Ravi Bishnoi and Chris Jordan.

Ellis is also relatively new, and the chances of him being playing for PKBS look a bit slim. With the pitches in the UAE assisting spin more, Adil Rashid might get a look in.

5. Rajasthan Royals – Oshane Thomas

Oshane Thomas
Oshane Thomas. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Oshane Thomas came with high expectations after his heroic performance during the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019. Naturally, the eight franchises had big expectations from him. He was snapped up by the Royals during the auctions but, he could not provide with the wickets RR were hoping for.

The presence of Ben  Stokes, Jofrra Archer, as well as David Miller didn’t help his cause. Although the English recruits are not available this time around, Thomas might not get his chances this time owing to the likes of Chris Morris and Chetan Sakariya. The pitches in the UAE don’t offer as much assistance to pacers, which also might work against Thomas’ chances.

6. Delhi Capitals – Umesh Yadav 

England & India Net Sessions
Umesh Yadav of India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The Capitals have turned into a ruthless side in the past three years of the IPL. Ever since Ricky Ponting took over as the head coach of the side, the dynamics of the squad have completely changed. Umesh Yadav, who has seen this turnaround, also knows a thing or two about the working of the franchise.

Once a regular part of the teams like KKR and RCB, Yadav suddenly finds himself out of the team for the Capitals due to the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Marcus Stoinis. The Indian pacer might not get lucky this time either, as Nortje has recovered from the injury and is raring to go.

Yadav also has the likes of Avesh Khan and Axar Patel for the stiff competition, which makes his entry a difficult probability.

7. Mumbai Indians – Jayant Yadav 

Jayant Yadav
Jayant Yadav. (Photo: IANS)

Jayant Yadav has been with Mumbai Indians for the past few years but the opportunities have arrived at a snail’s pace for him, owing to the presence of Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya in the team. Although the off-spinner got his chance in the finals of the IPL 2020, it was only due to the Capitals boasting of more right-handers in the team.

Jayant again will have to wait for his chances this time as Chahar and as well as Krunal are certainties in the UAE leg of IPL. While the pitches might aid spinners, Mumbai might not with more than two frontline spinners in their playing XI.

8. Kolkata Knight Riders – Tim Southee 

Tim Southee
Tim Southee. (Photo by JEREMY NG/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand pace spearhead was signed as a replacement player for Pat Cummins for the remainder of the season by the KKR franchise. Although Southee comes with a plethora of experience, he might have to warm the benches due to the presence of Lockie Ferguson in the team. Apart from him, the franchise also boasts names of Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan and Sunil Narine.

Due to being the second choice lead bowler, the KKR team might give preference to Ferguson and Southee may miss out. Southee has also proved to be a bit of a costly customer in the death overs for the few IPL franchises and that might go against him.

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