IPL 2021: Flop XI from the third week

The Indian Premier League has been one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Being a part of it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any player. Be it a teenager looking to draw the attention of the selectors, or an experienced campaigner who is trying to make a comeback. The IPL provides the perfect platform for any player.

The current edition of the IPL is being conducted in a very delicate and critical time. As the COVID cases are rising exponentially, many players had decided not to participate in the lucrative tournament. But, the BCCI has decided that the show will go on. Therefore, the players are continuing to take part in the event and spreading awareness about COVID.

Well, many players have been able to use this opportunity to knock on the doors of the selectors. While few of them have succeeded, few haven’t. This week too, we witnessed major failures from many players. Few were using the opportunity to increase their run tally and few were going for plenty.

Here is the worst playing XI of the third week of the IPL 2021

1. Rohit Sharma (Captain)

Rohit Sharma is arguably one of the biggest names in the cricketing world. He has played some magnificent innings that have enabled him to become one of the greats of the modern era. Till now, Sharma has captained the Mumbai-based franchise to five IPL titles. Well, without any doubt, he is the greatest IPL captain in the history of the tournament. 

But, this week, he had a mediocre outing with the bat. Against Punjab Kings, Sharma scored 63 from 52 balls. A strike rate of 121.15 is something way too low for a batsman like him. Adding on, he failed against Rajasthan by scoring just 14 runs. His captaincy this season has been a bit bland till now.

The five-time champions are well known to bounce back during the latter half of the tournament. Well, no one can predict if the Indian vice-captain will turn the tables and destroy bowling attacks. But, this week, he makes it to this squad because of scoring 77 runs at a strike rate of 101.75. His performance has been degrading as we move ahead in this tournament. 

2. David Warner

“Attacking” is a word one would usually associate with David Warner. He came into the Australian squad as a T20 specialist batsman. But, over the years, he became their perfect opener for all the formats. Adding on, he has a triple century to his name in his Test career.

Apart from that, he has been Mr. Consistent for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 2016, he won the trophy with them as their captain. After that, they have been consistent performers. More often than not, they have been able to reach the playoffs. 

But, this year, they are still finding their perfect playing XI. Warner has been scoring runs, but the strike rate is the issue. This week, he has scored just 63 runs with a strike rate of 89.3. Adding on, if Warner fails, SRH does have Kane Williamson to anchor the innings. Well, Warner has been unable to find his touch so far. 

3. Suresh Raina

Popularly known as Mr. IPL, Suresh Raina has been the backbone of the CSK batting lineup. He has scored 5489 runs in his IPL career, making him a legend of the league. Because of his attacking approach towards the innings, Raina was one of the prolific limited-overs cricketers for the Indian squad too. His importance can be analyzed from the fact that during his absence, CSK struggled to find a perfect replacement. 

Raina started this season with a solid half-century. But since, then, he has been unable to make a mark. Well, this is mainly because the CSK lineup has been enjoying Ruturaj and Faf’s brilliant partnership. But, if Raina becomes consistent at number four, this CSK squad will easily outclass the Mumbai batting lineup of 2020. 

Against SRH, Raina scored 17 runs from 15 balls. He took his time as the job was done by the top order. In the match against RCB, Raina scored 24 runs from 18 balls. He did take a few balls to settle in, but everyone was expecting him to score big. This week, Raina has scored 41 runs with a strike rate of 123.33. Everyone will be hoping that he gets back to form soon.

4. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav has been MI’s most prolific batsman since 2018. His fearless approach towards the game has been outstanding. As a result of which he was granted a debut series against England earlier this year. The MI batting lineup revolves around Suryakumar, without any doubt. 

But, he had an off week according to his standards. Against Punjab Kings, Suryakumar scored 33 from 27 balls. This slow approach never helped the team as they posted a modest 131/6. Later on, in their match against RR, Suryakumar scored 16 runs from ten balls. This week, he scored 49 runs with a strike rate of 141.1. But, the strike rate becomes insignificant when one scores just 16 runs from 10 balls. 

This is a poor performance because he was expected to play the role of the anchor, as Quinton de Kock was well set. But, Chris Morris got the better of him during the game. Well, it was just an off week, as most players do have. Expect Suryakumar Yadav to find his touch soon. He is an important player for the Mumbai Indians and he needs to step up. 

5. Dinesh Karthik(wicketkeeper)

Dinesh Karthik is having a horrible time with the Knight Riders this year. Last year, it was his captaincy that was under the radar, this week, it is his batting. KKR is still finding their perfect playing XI and it looks like for the time being, they desperately need Karthik to find his consistency and form. 

During the third week of the IPL, Karthik scored 25 runs from 24 balls against the Mumbai Indians for Kolkata Knight Riders. The early wickets put too much pressure on the veteran as a result of which he was unable to accelerate. Although he smashed 12 runs from 6 balls against Punjab Kings, he was unable to find boundaries regularly during the match against the Delhi Capitals. 

Karthik scored 51 runs during the third week. But, as other wicket keepers had a terrific season, Karthik has found his way into the team. Given the fact that he fails to deliver whenever his team needs him, adds up to the reason why he is in this squad. Maybe, Morgan should promote him up the order and ask him to play with more freedom. Karthik had a good strike rate of 148.05 this week. But, he has to be more consistent with the bat. 

6. Hardik Pandya

One of the major reasons Mumbai has struggled this year is Hardik Pandya’s form. He used to accelerate the scoring rate during the backend of the innings. Therefore, any slow start by the top order was covered up because of those brutal innings by Hardik Pandya. However, this year, he has failed and Mumbai Indians are suffering.

Pandya is included in the squad as an all-rounder. But, he is not bowling because of injury concerns. This raises some questions related to his selection. As talented players like Anukul Roy are warming the bench, Pandya’s unavailability with the ball is affecting the team balance. He has to get into his groove as quickly as possible. 

Against the Punjab Kings, Hardik scored one run from 4 balls. During the match against the Royals, his services were not required. One thing that can boost his batting is the promotion in the batting order. Well, Rohit Sharma has to promote Hardik and someone like Pollard or Krunal can do the role of a finisher. With 1 run in the whole week and no wickets, Pandya makes it to this list. 

7. Vijay Shankar

Till now, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are having a horrible time. They are heavily dependent on their top order to do the job. But, if the trio of Warner, Bairstow, and Williamson fails, the middle order is exposed. Even after having such big names, they are failing repeatedly. 

The middle order is a huge concern for the management. With an inexperienced middle order, one will hope that the players having international experience will step up. Since the 2019 World Cup, Vijay Shankar has been unable to perform at highly competitive leagues. In this IPL, Shankar has failed as an all-rounder. 

With the bat, he scored 8 runs from 7 balls against the Capitals. Against the Super Kings, he did not get the chance both with the bat and ball. The Delhi batsmen did not target Shankar as his slower balls were effective. But, a run tally of just 8 is not enough to call him the premier all-rounder of the team. 

8. DJ Bravo

DJ Bravo has been one of the ambassadors of T20 cricket since the format’s debut. Bravo has been a successful T20 player over the years. He has won several trophies, including the ICC T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2016. Adding on, he has been CSK’s premier all-rounder over the years.

But, this time he has been unable to find a spot in the playing XI. He was excluded from playing XI during the game against SRH. Adding on, during CSK’s demolition of RCB, Bravo was a bit expensive. He conceded 19 runs from his two overs. Adding on, as CSK’s batting has improved substantially, Bravo’s batting is not in that much demand.

Yes, Bravo is a legend of the format. But, the age factor is getting the better of him. Dhoni is not taking the risk to include Bravo in every game. Well, the CSK squad is balanced even after the exclusion of Bravo and his expensive spell of 19 runs in two overs with 0 wickets has enabled him to make it to the squad. 

9. Siddharth Kaul

Siddharth Kaul had a stellar IPL season in 2018. He was so impressive that he managed to get into the Indian limited-overs side. He went on to make his debut for the team but failed to retain his place. Since then, he has been unable to perform as per the expectations. 

This week, Kaul had a poor outing with the ball. Against CSK, he was unable to pick any wicket. He bowled at an economy rate of 8 during that match, and his bowling figures improved only because he bowled short balls to Suresh Raina. The CSK batsmen were sensible enough to play him cautiously. 

Against DC, Kaul picked two wickets with an economy rate of 7.25. But, as he is included in the SRH squad as a wicket-taker, a wicket tally of two wickets is not satisfactory. Although he had a decent economy rate of 7.6 runs during the second week, Kaul was expected to pick a few more wickets as he bowls during a time when there is a high chance of picking up wickets. Maybe, he will turn things around in the coming weeks.

10. Trent Boult

Trent Boult has been New Zealand’s premier fast bowler for many years. He is a lethal bowler who can swing the bowl both ways. Adding on, his extra pace makes it even more difficult for the batsmen. For most of the time, Boult is a force to reckon with.

But this year, he has been a bit off-color. He was spectacular during last year’s final against DC. But this week, in particular, he was unable to put the batsmen under pressure. Against Punjab, Boult was expensive as he conceded 30 runs in 2.4 overs without taking any wicket. 

Against Rajasthan too, Boult was expensive. From his four overs, he gave away 37 runs and picked up only a single wicket. During the third week, Boult had a poor economy rate of 10.2 runs per over. Apart from that, he has picked only a single wicket during the whole week. 

11. Khaleel Ahmed

Just like Siddharth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed managed to get into the Indian limited-overs squad. But, he was unable to keep his place in the Indian team and IPL franchise too. He is now playing for SRH regularly only because of injuries to their premier bowlers. Well, unfortunately for Ahmed and SRH, things are not working out as they would have expected. 

During the match against DC, Ahmed bowled at an economy rate of 10.5. In four overs, he conceded 42 runs and gave DC the start they were looking for. Apart from Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, every SRH bowler was up to the mark during that game. Hence, it was a mediocre effort from Ahmed. 

Against CSK too, Ahmed was unable to pick any wicket in his four overs. With an economy rate of 9, he was smashed by the Chennai batsmen. During the third week, he had a poor economy rate of 9.75 runs per over. Adding on, an empty wicket tally for the week makes it much worse.