5 Worst retentions in IPL history

5) Stuart Binny, Rajasthan Royals, 2014

Karnataka all-rounder Stuart Binny has often had to bear unfair criticism from his fans because of his family background, even though he has had quite a memorable career in cricket.

Stuart debuted in IPL in 2010 for the Mumbai Indians. He moved over to Rajasthan in 2011, played the next two editions for them. But really, it was in the 2013 season that he really started making ripples in the tourney.

The sixth IPL season saw Stuart play as a specialist fast-bowling all-rounder, where he made 293 runs with the bat and picked up 6 wickets. He essayed a big part in the Royals’ third-place finish in the tournament and emerged as a key retention candidate in Rajasthan’s under-rated team.

RR retained Stuart as one of their 5 core players ahead of the 2014 season. But barring a few performances of note, Stuart had a largely uninspiring time with the Royals. Across the 2014 and ’15 seasons, he made 197 runs and picked up 7 wickets.

He got to reprise his role in 2018, post the Royals’ making a comeback after their two-year ban. He was bought at his base price of INR 50 lakhs and played 15 games. Sadly, he couldn’t make much of an impact on his comeback.

Of all the players in this list, Stuart happens to be the only one who isn’t currently contracted with any IPL franchise. And at 36 years of age, time does seem to be running out rather soon for him.