IPL 2018: Five players who might be playing their last IPL

With almost half of the 11th season of Indian Premier League (IPL) done, all the teams are battling hard to make it to the top four. Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab seem to be the front-runners at this point in time. However, with more than half of the season still remaining, it is too early to decide as to who will make it to the playoffs. Every team has found certain match-winners for itself already. These players are expected to play some big role going forward into the tournament. However, some stalwarts, who were expected to play crucial roles failed miserably thus far. With form and age not on their side, we could well see these players playing their last IPL this season unless they do something miraculous. Here are the five players who could well be playing their last IPL: 1. Gautam Gambhir | Delhi Daredevils Gautam Gambhir of Delhi Daredevils. (Photo Source: Twitter) This season is definitely the most dreadful one for Gautam Gambhir. He failed miserably with the bat scoring 85 runs in 6 games which also included a 50. Furthermore, his team lost five out six games under him building up the pressure. Hence, he decided to step down as the captain and also found himself no place in the XI in the next game. Moreover, his fielding hasn’t been as good as it was earlier. With Gambhir stepping down as the skipper and not fitting in the XI, he is one of the few players who might well be playing his last IPL. There wasn’t much demand for him in the auction and will not be any going forward. Gauti, who will be 37 by the time he will play the next IPL might be considering his retirement much earlier to that. 2. Yuvraj Singh | Kings XI Punjab Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source: Twitter) The condition of Yuvraj Singh is much more pathetic than that of Gambhir. His troubles facing the short ball are much evident in this IPL. He is struggling both with the bat and on the field. Furthermore, he hasn’t been as effective with the ball as he was earlier and seldom we find him bowl. Although Yuvi is one of the best all-rounders to have played the game, his good days are far left behind. Yuvi has scored 50 runs off 56 balls at a strike rate of 89 before he was axed from the playing XI. However, Yuvraj Singh has made it clear that he will consider retirement only after the 2019 World Cup. The franchises were already reluctant to pick him up in the auction this year and we might see no bids for him next year. 3. Kieron Pollard | Mumbai Indians Kieron Pollard of Mumbai Indians in action. (Photo by: IANS) Kieron Pollard was one of the backbones of the Mumbai Indians for a long time now. He played the finishers’ role for them and bowled the crucial overs for the team. He was instrumental in MI’s three title glories and proved his mettle with both the bat and ball. The last season was quite below par for him. But, it is worse this season as he isn’t able to hit those big shots and take his team to the other side of the line. Furthermore, he is not even bowling due to various injury issues reducing his value. MI surely went on the emotional connection to pick him in the side but that hasn’t worked for them. They stand in the bottom half of the points table currently having won only one game this season out of six. 4. Brendon McCullum | Royal Challengers Bangalore Moeen Ali & Brendon McCullum. (Photo by IANS) Brendon McCullum probably has one of the best hand-eye coordination amongst the players who players this game. He quickly swivels across the turf and smashes the bowlers for sixes, courtesy his fast hands. However, as he is ageing, this ability seems to be waning affecting his game big time. He found it tough earlier in the PSL as well as early on in the IPL. He played three games for RCB this season scoring 43, 0 and 4. Subsequently, he was dropped from the playing XI. Already having retired from international cricket in 2016, it is probably a good time for McCullum to say goodbye to all forms of the game. 5. Mitchell Johnson | Kolkata Knight Riders Mitchell Johnson of KKR. (Photo Source: Twitter) Mitchell Johnson is another player who might be playing his last IPL. He was surely bought in the auction as a cover for Mitchell Starc. Had Mitchell Starc played this IPL, Johnson would definitely not get a chance in the playing XI. Johnson is currently 36 years old and is not generating the pace he did earlier. Hence, not many franchises would show any interest next year even if he opts to play. Moreover, he is injury-prone. He had a dismal IPL thus far. He played three games in the season and has picked two wickets at an average of 51. In the 66 balls that he bowled, he conceded 102 runs which account for an economy rate of 9.27. With many young bowlers rising up the ranks, Johnson might not get to play another IPL.

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IPL 2018: Five players who might be playing their last IPL

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3. Kieron Pollard | Mumbai Indians

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