10 Players who are the best choice replacements for teams in IPL 2016

IPL 2016 has seen more injuries in the first half of the league stages than most seasons. Such has been the injury scare that as many as 13 players have been injured so far and 11 of them have been ruled out of the season already. The Rising Pune Supergiants remain to be the most affected side with 4 of their top overseas players succumbing to some or the other injury and have bowed out of the tournament putting the team in a spot of bother to search for immediate replacements. To make the job of the team management a tad bit easier here is a list of players who can be roped in as best possible replacements in the ongoing season.

1. Ben Stokes (England):

One of those players who is tipped to make a huge impact if he plays the IPL is Ben Stokes. The English all-rounder will definitely be a popular name among the franchises for his abilities. If he is available, he isn’t a name worth missing. Stokes can bat at any batting position and has the power to muscle deliveries downtown. He is more than just an average medium pacer and has the knack of picking wickets, along with that he is canny with his pace and knows how to vary it.

2. Johnson Charles (West Indies):

Johnson Charles shot to fame when he played as a replacement for injured Chris Gayle and opened for the West Indies innings in the recently concluded World T20 in India. He did not disappoint and hammered the bowlers to all parts of the stadium. Considering the red hot form he is in, Charles can definitely fit the openers position in any IPL side.

3. Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh):

The Bangladeshi opener can be yet another threatening option at the top. He has the experience of playing on the slow subcontinental wickets, which makes him a handy option against the spin. Tamim was the leading run scorer in the recently concluded World T20 in India during which he also scored a century.

4. Michael Hussey (Australia):

Mike Hussey played in the Big Bash earlier this season and didn’t look rusty one bit. Surely, the veteran Aussie has a lot left in him. Currently donning the commentator’s cap in the IPL, Hussey will be immediately available if picked up as a replacement by any side. He might love to play for Rising Pune Supergiants, who are struggling to pick up themselves in the tournament. Having had the experience of playing in the IPL before and that too under MS Dhoni will surely help.

5. Darren Sammy (West Indies):

Darren Sammy recently led West Indies to a World T20 triumph in India. He can not only add to the table with his batting and bowling but also with his on-field captaincy brains. Sammy can hit the long ball and has done it in the IPL too. It will be interesting to see if any team ropes him in as a replacement. He can be the ideal man in the lower middle order who can slog in the death overs. He last played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Sammy recently joined the commentary panel in the IPL.

6. Joe Root (England):

The English players have made their way to the Indian Premier League this season and it will only be the perfect icing on the tournament if Joe Root graces the occasion. A nonchalant player of sheer class, Root singlehandedly guided the England team to a historic 230 run chase against South Africa in the World T20. He has been in great form and can definitely steady the batting lineup of the Rising Pune Supergiants.

7. Grant Elliott (New Zealand):

The Kiwi all-rounder played a vital role in taking New Zealand to the 2015 World Cup finals last year. He is no new kid with the bat and can play the big shots at will. Elliott can be very handy with the ball too. With his cutters and the ability to take the pace off the ball, he is aptly suited for the Indian conditions. If the spot for an all-rounder is vacant, Grant Elliot deserves a look in.

8. Kevon Cooper (West Indies):

The West Indian all-rounder was a part of Rajasthan Royals last year and did nothing wrong with the opportunities that he got. He was only unlucky to have missed out on an IPL contract this year. Cooper has been in great form and was the leading wicket-taker in the 2015 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. He bowled with a strike rate of as less as 9.3. His average was the best too as he bowled with a miserly average of 8.70. With a five-wicket haul to his name in T20s, he surely fits the replacement bill.

9. Marlon Samuels (West Indies):

The man of the night of the finals for West Indies in the World T20, Marlon Samuels, is one good bet at the top of the order. Samuels is a big match player and can make an impact on his day. He was the Man of the Match in the both the finals when West Indies lifted the World T20s in 2012 and 2016. Samuels can open the innings too, if need be. He fits the middle order and provides the much needed stability.

10. Kevin O’Brien (Ireland):

The Irish all-rounder was very disappointed when he was not picked up by any franchise during the 2011 auction pool. He had openly stated that he expected an IPL contract after a good show in ICC World Cup 2011 in the subcontinent. Kevin is a very handy player to have in the team and can contribute both with the bat and the ball. Moreover, roping in someone like Kevin would help IPL expand its wings to associate nations too.

Here is the – List of Injured players in IPL 2016