IPL 2022: 3 overseas bench-warmers who should get their chance

As we approach the halfway stage of the tournament, the league table is shaping up competitively. All signs point to the race for the playoffs going right down to the wire, with just 4 points separating the top 8 teams. More than half the teams have played 7 games, which is a decent enough sample size for each team to make a judgment of what has clicked for them and what needs to be improved. 

As every game becomes more and more crucial at the business end of the group stage, time is running out for teams to find their most potent 11. Some squads have already used a bulk of their players while others have been more rigid in sticking with and showing faith in the same group of players. In either case, there have been some able cricketers who are yet to record an appearance in this edition of the IPL.  Let’s have a look at 3 such overseas cricketers who have been warming the bench since the campaign started but now might be the right time for their franchises to give them a chance to bring their skills to the fore. 

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (GT)

The talented and attacking 20-year-old Afghani keeper-batsman was acquired by GT after Jason Roy opted out of the tournament and would’ve fancied his chances of being a regular given the Titans’ shortage of quality in the wicket-keeping department. The Titans management has instead gone for the more proven options to don the gloves- Wade and Saha.

Till now, GT has had an impressive debut as a new franchise, finding themselves hoisted at the top of the points table. While they have had to contend with few selection headaches given the team’s prolific performances, one of them has been the opener’s slot alongside Shubman Gill. 

Matthew Wade has failed to hit the ground running after an extended run in the team and GT has also tried to play 37-year-old Indian stalwart Wriddhiman Saha in the same position. As both of them have failed to hit the mark, it might be time for GT to finally give highly rated Gurbaz a place in their playing 11.