IPL 2024: Best benched XI of second week

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed the impressive performances of Sunil Narine, Mayank Yadav, Quinton de Kock, Trent Boult, and Yuzvendra Chahal in the second week while a few players such as Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Hardik Pandya, and Harshal Patel are yet to be at their best.

On one side, some eminent players are struggling to take advantage of the opportunities they got while on the other side, a few players are warming benches. As cricket fans enter the third week of the league, let’s know some players who weren’t seen in action in the previous week.

Here is the best-benched XI of the second week

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is yet to play his maiden game in this IPL. The wicketkeeper batter is a part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the franchise has shown trust in England’s Phil Salt, who has looked decent as an opener and a stumper.

2. Kyle Mayers

Kyle Mayers was magnificent with his bat for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during his IPL debut in 2023. This year, the Super Giants are looking satiated with the opening pair of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, who have given decent starts to the team in the last two games.

3. Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey became a part of KKR again in the 2024 IPL auction but he has also been seen in the dugout instead of serving the side on the field. The availability of some exceptional in-form players in Kolkata's squad has kept the veteran away from the team’s playing XI.

4. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav joined the Mumbai Indians’ camp in the third week and played his first game of the competition against Delhi Capitals (DC) after recovering from his ankle injury. In the third week, Mumbai Indians (MI) lost to Rajasthan Royals (RR) by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium.      

Also Check: Ranking the best powerplay scores from first 10 matches in IPL 2024

5. Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips has not featured in the playing of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), thus far. The Orange Army has some exceptional foreign players which is making it difficult for the SRH team management to induct the best four of them. So far, they have gone to matches with skipper Pat Cummins, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and Travis Head. 

6. Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan, who was a part of Punjab Kings (PBKS) from 2021 to 2023, was bought for a hefty sum of INR 7.4 crore by Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2024 IPL auction. The 28-year-old is still waiting for his turn to don GT’s jersey and play his first game in the ongoing tournament. 

7. Shardul Thakur

In the second week, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost their first game in the tournament against DC in Visakhapatnam. The Yellow Army didn’t take the services of Shardul Thakur for three consecutive games with their appearance against Rishabh Pant and his men.

8. Mitchell Santner

With the availability of left-arm orthodox spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner’s entry in CSK’s playing XI is highly unlikely. Until now, the defending champions have played five matches in the competition and the 32-year-old New Zealand stalwart hasn’t got any matches.

9. Amit Mishra

Veteran leg-break bowler Amit Mishra possesses a lot of experience but LSG haven’t utilized him in the competition. The Super Giants have handed Ravi Bishnoi the responsibility to lead the team’s spin-bowling unit and the youngster’s performance has been decent so far.

10. Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma was dropped from RR’s 11-member squad against MI at the Wankhede Stadium, after putting up a disappointing show with the ball against DC in Jaipur. Replacing him, Nandre Burger broke into playing XI against Hardik Pandya and Co.

11. Umran Malik

Umran Malik didn’t get a chance to be a part of Hyderabad's playing XI after bowling an expensive 15-run over against MI at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the first week. SRH contested against GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the second week and Umran didn’t feature in his side’s 11-member squad.