Top 5 players who are next in line to feature in a team's XI in IPL10

The first quarter of IPL is over and already, it has produced absolute intriguing cricket. There have been some magnificent performances with both bat and ball and the fans have witnessed some tight contests. While the younger generation with the likes of Rashid Khan and Nitish Rana announced their arrivals on the big stage, the experienced lot like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Imran Tahir dominated the proceedings. The tournament has been a big hit even before reaching the half way stage and still, there is plenty to come. While the focus remained on the top performers of the league, there are several big names who are yet to take the field. There are 25 players on an average in an IPL squad and the limitation of only 4 overseas players in the XI doesn’t allow the chances for everyone to get a game. Yet there are certain players warming the benches who could have easily got a game or two. They are sure to be on the radar of the selection in the team are likely to be included soon. Here are 5 such players we might soon see in action in the IPL. #1 Shakib Al Hasan Shakib Al Hasan (Photo credit DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images) The biggest name amongst the players sitting out so far is Shakib Al Hasan. He is perhaps the best all-rounder in the game across all formats and it’s surprising for many not to see him in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ playing XI. Initially, he wasn’t available for selection as he was on the national duties on the tour of Sri Lanka. He joined the squad later and it’s been a long time since. The Bangladeshi has a tremendous record in the IPL having played 42 matches. He has 43 wickets to his credit to go with 497 runs at an average of 21.6. The 30-year-old was a key figure in the KKR squad until last year but the surface at the Eden Gardens was relaid recently and doesn’t offer similar assistance to the spinners like before, the reason he has been made to sit out. But it would be difficult to keep a class player out of the side for too long and we might see him donning the colors of KKR soon. #2 Shaun Marsh Shaun Marsh (Photo Source: BCCI) The Australian has been associated with the Kings XI Punjab squad since the inception of IPL in the year 2008. He had won the Orange Cap in the inaugural year for being the highest run-getter of the season with 616 runs. Although he has been a prolific run-getter for the side yet he hasn’t featured regularly in the playing XI especially at the start of every season. In 62 IPL matches, he has 2213 runs to his name at a wonderful average of 40.98 with a century and 18 fifties. One of the reasons he might be included in the XI is the lack of form of Hashim Amla. The South African was the preferred choice for the opener’s slot but hasn’t found great form this year so far. With KXIP struggling after the string of losses, Marsh’s inclusion seems more likely at this stage. #3 Dwayne Bravo Dwayne Bravo. (Photo Source: BCCI) The Caribbean all-rounder has been one of the best in the business over the years in the shortest format of the game. He was instrumental in the success of Chennai Super Kings for a number of years with both bat and ball. After the franchise was suspended last year, he was bagged by Gujarat Lions and there too, he played a pivotal role as the team finished on top of the points table after the league stage. This year, he was unavailable for the initial games as he was recovering from a hamstring injury. He has now joined the Lions’ squad and could simply walk into the XI. Lions have been struggling in the bowling department and they will be itching to get back the services of Bravo. His record speaks for himself as he has a massive 122 wickets to his name in 106 IPL matches to go with 1262 runs with the bat. He is also the third highest wicket-taker in IPL history, only behind Lasith Malinga and Amit Mishra. #4 Lendl Simmons Lendl Simmons MI. (Photo Source: BCCI) Mumbai Indians made a surprise choice of promoting the Englishman Jos Buttler to open the innings alongside Parthiv Patel this year which meant that the West Indian batsman had to wait for his turn. Buttler hasn’t done too well batting up the order and if Mumbai don’t ask Rohit Sharma to open, Simmons might be slotted in soon at the opener’s slot. His numbers in IPL speak volumes about his potential. The 32-year-old has scored 942 runs in 22 matches at an outstanding average of 47.1 with a strike rate of 127.3. He also has a hundred and 9 fifties to his credit and is a renowned opening batsman. He was instrumental in Mumbai’s triumph in the year 2015 as he scored 68 runs off 45 balls in the final against Chennai Super Kings that enabled his team to a massive score of 202 and win the title. #5 Darren Sammy Darren Sammy IPL celebration. (Photo Source: BCCI) Another West Indian all-rounder who has been waiting in the wings but is quite capable of doing the damage with both bat and ball. He was with the Surisers Hyderabad squad previously and in 22 IPL matches, he has 11 wickets and 295 runs to his name. He was bought by Kings XI Punjab in this year’s player auction for INR 30 Lakh which was also his base price. It was a pretty economical deal to buy a player with such potentials at a very cheap cost. But the 33-year-old has witnessed all the action from the dug-out only. The Punjab side is struggling in the bowling department as the Indian pacers have gone for plenty. Although Sammy is not express in pace yet his medium pace bowling could come in handy for them. He can also use the long handle and strike some lusty blows batting down the order. The KXIP side has struggled for form recently and it might mean that Sammy could earn his maiden cap for the franchise soon.

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