IPL 2021 UAE leg: Team-wise one benched player who should get chances in upcoming games

The second phase of the Indian Premier league (IPL) has started on a high note. In just a week, we have already witnessed a lot of thrilling contests. As we get closer towards the business end of the tournament, teams are now at their best.

We have already seen a few players win matches for their sides. At the same time we have seen a few undeserving players get a consistent run in their team’s XI despite not contributing much. This is harsh on the players warming the bench as there are a lot of deserving players who’d be raring to get on the field.

Every team currently has atleast one such player who deserves a chance in their playing XI. It would be really beneficial for both, their teams as well as them if they are given atleast one chance in the upcoming matches of IPL 2021.

In the article, we shall be taking a look at team-wise one benched player who should get chances in upcoming IPL games

1) Chennai Super Kings: Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir is arguably one of the greatest bowlers in the shortest format of the game. Seldom would you find a bowler as impactful as him. As a matter of fact, he has been a significant contributor in the IPL as well.

He won the Purple Cap in 2019 for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Whenever given a chance, he has always done well for Dhoni’s boys. However, he is yet to get a game in the second phase of IPL 2021.

While one can’t really blame the franchise as they wouldn’t want to change a winning combination, they can always give him a chance in the upcoming matches. This is mainly due to the fact that CSK have more or less already qualified for the playoffs. As they are already safe and don’t have the fear of getting eliminated, they can very well give him a go and see how he does.

2) Mumbai Indians: Anukul Roy

Anukul Roy is one of the most unluckiest players. Despite being with the Mumbai Indians (MI) since 2018, he hasn’t really got a chance to showcase his talent.

The youngster played just one game for MI in the IPL in 2019. Post that, he has been warming the bench for two continuous seasons. However, he has come on the field as a substitute fielder on numerous occasions and has managed to impress one and all.

However, the MI management must give him a game in their XI. Their all-rounder Krunal Pandya has looked significantly poor and has continuously failed. As Roy is a left-arm spinner, MI could easily drop Krunal and bring him in their XI.

3) Royal Challengers Bangalore: George Garton

George Garton is an English seamer who has impressed one and all. The southpaw is considered to be really talented. He is now with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as he replaced the Aussie pacer Kane Richardson for the remainder of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season in the UAE.

However, he yet to get a game and is warming the bench. The uncapped speedster has picked 44 wickets with a bowling average of 20.06 and thus, would be a viable option for Virat Kohli. And he isn’t the worst of batters either.

The Sussex pacer has a batting average of 20.77 in T20s, with a strike rate of 124.66. As Jamieson’s form in the ongoing IPL 2021 has been lukewarm to say the least, Garton can very well replace him. Besides, having a relatively unknown talent in your side is always an added advantage.

4) Sunrisers Hyderabad: Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi has been a globetrotter in the shorter for the format of the game. He is also with the Sunrisers for the last five editions. However, due to the four foreign-player policy, the Afghanistan all-rounder has strained to feature consistently in the SRH playing eleven.

In fact, since his debut in the 2017 IPL, Nabi has played a mere 16 games, having scored 117 runs and picking up 13 wickets. In the 2021 IPL, he has taken part in two matches and is yet to get a game in the UAE leg of the T20 event.

He has gotten two wickets and scored 31 runs in the ongoing tournament. If he gets a chance in the upcoming matches, it has to be in place of Jason Holder. Nabi’s chance of getting a whole lot of matches look bleak as Holder has done well with both bat and ball.

5) Delhi Capitals: Steve Smith

Steve Smith is unarguably one of the greatest players of this era. He has set such high standards for himself that it become a headline when he doesn’t do well. Warming the bench might be new for the Aussie legend as he was a captain for the last two IPL franchises he played for.

While one can understand that he hasn’t played any competitive cricket in a long time, world class batters like him could still manage. Another issue with having him in the XI would be too many anchors as Shreyas Iyer is available and is playing for the Capitals.

However, they could still play him as a floater. Besides, Marcus Stoinis is injured and so there is an opening in the XI. As he’s one of the the best under pressure, Rishabh Pant and Ricky Ponting may use him as the crisis man who comes to stop a batting collapse and bats only when necessary. Besides, Smith can play the big shots and thus, could bat down the order if needed.

6) Kolkata Knight Riders: Sandeep Warrier

Sandeep Warrier had impressed all the cricket pundits when he made his IPL debut for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He was economical and was superb with the new ball. He has been super consistent in domestic cricket as well.

This helped him to make his international debut against Sri Lanka in the T20I series a few months ago. However, owing to the talent pool of the Knights, he hasn’t played a single game this season. Morgan has preferred Prasidh Krishna over him.

Prasidh however hasn’t been consistent and has gone for plenty at the death. KKR could very well give Sandeep a game and bowl his full quota of overs up front. This would help Morgan save his death specialists towards the end and give them an extra over or two to bowl at the end.

7) Rajasthan Royals: Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips is one of the most explosive New Zealand players. He has been in superb form as well. The keeper is an asset in the shortest format as he can not only play the big shots at will, but can also bat in the middle order.

His keeping skills are an added advantage to his resume as a T20 cricketer. However, he is yet to get a game for Rajasthan Royals as of now. The fact that they already have a lot of world class batters doesn’t help his cause.

However, David Miller and Liam Livingstone are yet to fire in the second phase of IPL 2021 and there aren’t any updates about Lewis being available for their upcoming game. RR could play Phillips in the middle order instead of Miller or Livingstone. Besides, RR’s middle order has been vulnerable of late and his presence could strengthen it.

8) Punjab Kings: Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan was sensational for Tamil Nadu before being picked by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2021 auction. Despite getting a consistent run in the first phase of IPL 2021, he generally got a chance to bat only when Punjab were facing a batting collapse. However, the middle order batsman still looked impressive in the opportunities he got.

Despite this, he is yet to get a game in the second phase of IPL 2021. It gets more confusing when you realise that he is a middle-order batter and Punjab’s middle order has been woeful to say the least. Despite them losing from a winnable position in their game against RR and having a collapse against SRH, he hasn’t been given a chance.

Considering the fact that PBKS need some stability in their lower middle order, they need to take him in their XI. This would also give them the luxury to play another overseas batter at the top order. Last but not the least, Deepak Hooda has struggled and Punjab might as well replace Hooda with Khan.