What a spectacular week of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPL </a>this has been! It had all the flavours and ingredients to make it a great week of cricket and that too of the highest quality. The nail-biting close encounters, on-edge breathtaking finishes, and high-adrenaline striking, all in all, it was amazing. It&#8217;s just getting better day-by-day. As this week ended, we are getting a clear picture of the things to come but there is still a lot to uncover as we move to the business end of the league.

Two teams &#8211; Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants &#8211; seem to have booked their place in the playoffs, while the usual contenders of the playoffs &#8211; Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings &#8211; have missed the playoffs train this season. Many outstanding performances from the likes of David Warner, Tim David, Devon Conway and Nicholas Pooran were on display. This week we saw MS Dhoni back at the helm of CSK. Even though very late, Mumbai Indians finally found their mojo as they won two back-to-back games. Many players made their mark but some deserving players warmed the bench and were sidelined in the sixth week of IPL 2022.

Here we look at the best benched XI after the sixth week of IPL 2022:

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-620288" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ajinkya-Rahane.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-620288" class="wp-caption-text">Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

Ajinkya Rahane is someone who has propelled from the IPL to the international circuit. This league has played a huge role in his career. His long stint with Rajasthan Royals had set him up to play in the international circuit in all formats of the game. He was the highest run-getter for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2012 and the 2015 seasons with 560 and 540 runs respectively. He was picked up by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/not-everyone-in-kolkata-knight-riders-is-on-the-same-page-deep-dasgupta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kolkata Knight Riders</a> for INR 1 crore ahead of the IPL 2022.

So far, he has only played five matches this season and scored a total of 80 runs. He scored 44 of 34 balls in the inaugural match of the season which was against Chennai Super Kings and since then he has not played up to his potential. But his overall IPL numbers say a different story. In his IPL career, he has played 156 matches and scored a total of 4021 runs with an excellent average of 30.93 and a decent strike rate of 120.82. He may not be in his prime these days but the number of matches he has played and the experience he has is a strong point for his inclusion in the side.

Kolkata has struggled to find a strong opening partnership this season. They have tried many options and combinations but none of the chopping and changing has worked in their favour. Kolkata is back to winning ways and if they want to fight for the playoffs, they need to re-analyze their batting order. The addition of Rahane might be the way to move ahead as he can be a cool customer upfront in the innings with Aaron Finch. Rahane with his experience can do wonders for KKR in the games to come.

2. Rassie van der Dussen

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-629117" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Rassie-van-der-Dussen.jpg" alt="Rassie van der Dussen" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-629117" class="wp-caption-text">Rassie van der Dussen (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The Proteas middle-order batter is playing his debut IPL this year as Rajasthan Royals picked him for INR 1 crore in the IPL 2022 auction. He has been playing for the South African international side since 2018 and has been their dependable member at the top order. He can play attacking cricket once he spends a little time out there in the middle. He is well-equipped to play pace as well as spin and has proved his worth in T20 internationals for South Africa.

Speaking of his T20 record, in 34 T20Is, he has accumulated 933 runs with an excellent average of 38.87 and a competent strike rate of 130.85. He has also expanded his repertoire by playing franchise cricket in various parts of the world such as the Caribbean, Ireland, Netherlands, England and Canada. He has the skill to adapt to different situations and plays with a sense of match awareness.

Jos Buttler has been Rajasthan Royals’ leading man in the batting department and has carried a whole lot of it on his shoulders but the rest of the batters, except Shimron Hetmyer, have not contributed as a unit. The addition of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-have-always-been-a-rajasthan-royals-fan-since-early-days-of-ipl-rassie-van-der-dussen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rassie van der Dussen</a> might just be the right choice to solidify their batting unit. His steady approach and reliable batting may prevent batting collapses which recently affected the Royals and led to their downfall in a few matches. Rassie’s inclusion in the upcoming matches will surely benefit the Royals.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-627882" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/FotoJet-16.jpg" alt="Dewald Brevis" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-627882" class="wp-caption-text">Dewald Brevis. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The young sensation, Baby AB, &#8216;cricket’s future superstar&#8217; and many more titles and adjectives have been linked to the South African prodigy Dewald Brevis. He has a long way to justify these towering titles but he has shown some glimpses of it in the games he played for Mumbai Indians. He has lived up to the expectations the cricketing world had of him. His clean hitting and near-to-perfect technique is one of the highlights of this season.

He has scored a total of 124 runs in six innings at an average of 20.66 with a splendid strike rate of 155. He exhibited a lot of character and skills in those six innings and also made headlines for his four consecutive sixes off Rahul Chahar against Punjab Kings. His highest score of 49 runs in 25 balls came in the same match. Even though they have missed the playoffs train, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/he-doesnt-seem-in-the-right-mindset-aakash-chopra-urges-mumbai-indians-to-rest-underfire-ishan-kishan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mumbai Indians</a> have found their long-lost mojo as they won their previous two games.

Dewald Brevis has been out of their playing XI in the recent few games. If Mumbai wants to draw positives and end this season on a high note they need to include Dewald Brevis in their playing XI. Brevis can optimize their batting unit with his explosive hitting and help Mumbai accelerate their innings while chasing or building a total. He should also be looked at as the future mainstay of the Mumbai Indians’ squad. Letting him in the playing XI won&#8217;t harm MI.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-640322" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sarfaraz-Khan.jpg" alt="Sarfaraz Khan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-640322" class="wp-caption-text">Sarfaraz Khan (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The Mumbai boy Sarfaraz Khan made some headlines before the IPL 2022 for his exceptional performance in the domestic season for Mumbai. He was then picked up by the Delhi Capitals at his base price of INR 20 lakh. The dashing middle-order batsman has been playing in the IPL since he was 17 years of age. He has played some short, quick-fire knocks in his IPL career but has never made it huge and hasn’t delivered to his full potential.

Sarfaraz is someone who cannot be overlooked for too long. He has got all the talent to shine in the IPL. This year he has played only four games so far and scored a total of 49 runs in three innings. He has not fired this season, scoring with a subdued strike rate of 111.36. He can attack the opposition right from the start with his innovative shot-making style. He should be given more chances to showcase his batting capabilities in the DC middle-order.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/we-were-put-under-pressure-kane-williamson-opens-up-on-loss-to-delhi-capitals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delhi Capitals</a> are getting back to winning ways as the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant and Rovman Powell have made significant contributions in their recent encounters. Sarfaraz is certainly someone who can solidify Delhi Capitals’ batting department. Their opening pair of David Warner and Prithvi Shaw has been a vital one but Sarfaraz Khan can strengthen their top-order batting and steady the innings by playing at the number three position in the upcoming crucial phase of the IPL.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-627332" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shivam-Dube2.jpg" alt="Shivam Dube" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-627332" class="wp-caption-text">Shivam Dube. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The talented all-rounder impressed everyone with his batting this season in the initial phase of the league when he scored a match-winning unbeaten knock of 95 runs in 46 deliveries against Royal Challengers Bangalore. So far, he has scored a total of 247 runs in eight matches this season. He has scored two half-centuries and played with an average of 35.29 and a powerful strike rate of 159.35. Batting at the number three position helped him as well as the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/stepping-down-was-a-wrong-decision-ms-dhoni-should-have-led-csk-from-the-start-of-ipl-2022-virender-sehwag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chennai Super Kings</a> to optimize his services.

In his IPL career, he has scored a total of 646 runs in 32 matches with a decent strike rate of 132.92. Chennai Super Kings have nothing to lose in this situation as they are out of the playoffs race and are struggling to find the winning momentum. They are currently at the ninth position in the points table. Shivam Dube is someone who emboldens their batting line-up, and with the late inclusion of Devon Conway, Dube’s inclusion can only benefit the Super Kings.

Shivam has got the power-hitting abilities and combined with the handy bowling he must be included in the playing XI in their upcoming matches. Chennai had its flaws and they did not capitalize on their full potential this season but keeping a player like Shivam Dube out of the scheme of things may not be the right choice. Chennai needs to include him in the line-up to end this season on a positive note.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-640320" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Abdul-Samad-1.jpg" alt="Abdul Samad" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-640320" class="wp-caption-text">Abdul Samad (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The Jammu and Kashmir cricketer debuted in the 2020 season and displayed his power-striking abilities. Abdul Samad has been with the Sunrisers Hyderabad since his debut and has played 25 games scoring 226 runs with a healthy strike rate of 142.1. He plays with an aggressive approach in the middle order and is a handy wrist spinner. He played a few short, eventful knocks in the 2020 and 2021 editions for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He was again bought by his first franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 4 crore in IPL 2022. He hasn’t got enough opportunities as he has played only two games so far. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-didnt-need-extra-motivation-for-the-match-against-srh-david-warner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunrisers Hyderabad</a> has won five out of their 10 games and is currently at the sixth place in the points table. Their bowling has been their strength but the batting department can be improved by including Abdul Samad to strengthen their lower-middle order.

Abdul Samad can give them that boost in the middle order and occasionally could be used as a floater to shift the momentum early on in the innings. As the tournament progresses, there will be some matches that can go down the wire, in such moments the services of Samad can turn out to be very fruitful.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-625140" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sam-Billings.jpg" alt="Sam Billings" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-625140" class="wp-caption-text">Sam Billings (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The Englishman has been a T20 franchise cricket flag-bearer as he has played in almost every well-established T20 league in the world. He has gained a lot of experience while playing in these tournaments and that shows in his game as well. The wicketkeeper batsman has played some match-winning knocks for his former franchise – Chennai Super Kings. Although his numbers don’t speak of his true capabilities as he has always been in and out of the playing XI in most of his IPL stints so far and he comes way down the order as well.

His most impressive knock came for the Chennai Super Kings wherein he scored a match-winning 56 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2018 edition. This time around he is with the Kolkata Knight Riders who are struggling a bit in the points table at this stage of the tournament. Their middle order has been a matter of concern as the likes of Nitish Rana, Venkatesh Iyer, and Baba Indrajith are not performing to the fullest of their abilities. To solidify their middle order, the English wicketkeeper can be a good choice.

Kolkata Knight Riders need someone who can make sure they remain in the game till the last ball of the match while chasing a big total. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/csk-and-kkr-have-a-lot-of-similarities-in-terms-of-the-organisation-sam-billings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam Billings</a> can provide them that much-needed steadiness in the lower-middle order. Kolkata Knight Riders will require the services of Billings when the situation arises of a nail-biter at the crucial stage of their journey in the tournament. Sam Billings can surely play that finisher role for the Kolkata Knight Riders as the tournament progresses.

8. Pat Cummins

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-623974" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pat-Cummins3.jpg" alt="Pat Cummins" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-623974" class="wp-caption-text">Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The Australian Test skipper has been kept out of the playing XI in back-to-back matches by Kolkata Knight Riders and that has led to some obvious criticism. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/how-had-i-never-tried-it-before-pat-cummins-regrets-not-having-paav-bhaji-in-last-11-years-in-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pat Cummins</a> is the best Test bowler in the world at the moment, yet his repeated exclusion has raised some eyebrows. Since his stint in 2022 began, he has been very expensive by leaking runs at the rate of 12 runs per over and has picked up four wickets in the four matches that he has played. However, he played a sublime knock of 56* runs in just 15 balls which included four fours and six sixes against Mumbai Indians.

Glancing at his IPL career, he has done pretty well so far clinching 42 wickets in 41 matches with a decent economy of 8.62. In his international T20 ventures, he has taken 44 wickets in 39 matches with an excellent economy of 7.05. Due to his express pace and variation-deficient bowling, he has not been that productive for the Kolkata Knight Riders so far. Kolkata has won their last game but the inclusion of Pat Cummins may solidify their chances in the games to come.

If Kolkata Knight Riders want to remain in the scheme of things, they need to pick their best XI. Their bowling is lacking that rigour that Pat Cummins’ pace would provide. Apart from Umesh Yadav, their bowling doesn’t seem to unsettle the opposition as such. They are lacking the spirit of bowling in a unit at the moment. Because their batting has severely under performed, the bowlers have lacked the support and freedom of expressing themselves to their full potential. Pat Cummins with his leadership acumen can instill some confidence in the KKR camp.

9. Jayant Yadav

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-640316" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Jayant-Yadav.jpg" alt="Jayant Yadav" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-640316" class="wp-caption-text">Jayant Yadav (Photo Source: Instagram)</figcaption>

The orthodox right-arm off-spinner has impressed everyone with his tight bowling skills and has also improved as a lower-order batsman. His excellent domestic cricket numbers catapulted him to play for the Indian cricket team in 2016. He has worked on his game in both aspects &#8211; batting and bowling &#8211; and transformed himself into a proper all-rounder with some outstanding batting performances under his belt. He was picked up by the Gujarat Titans for INR 1.7 crores.

In his IPL career, he has managed to take eight wickets in 19 matches with a tight economy of 6.87. He was quite beneficial for his previous franchises, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. He may not be very fruitful in the wickets column but his skill of keeping things in control with the ball makes him an effective asset.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/finishers-stepping-up-is-the-major-reason-behind-gujarat-titans-success-lalchand-rajput/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gujarat Titans</a> are enjoying their dream run in their inaugural season as they sit right at the top of the points table with 16 points. Their bowling has been exceptional this season. The likes of Rashid Khan, Hardik Pandya, Lockie Ferguson, and Mohammed Shami have made significant contributions. They have the liberty to test their bench strength and the inclusion of Jayant Yadav may help them increase their options ahead of the playoffs. Jayant Yadav can keep the batters quiet and this quality may come in very handy in their upcoming fixtures.

10. Navdeep Saini

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-621914" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Navdeep-Saini.jpg" alt="Navdeep Saini" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-621914" class="wp-caption-text">Navdeep Saini. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The Indian pacer has done very well in the international circuit since his debut for India in 2019. He has been useful for the team in all formats of the game whenever he has played. He is more apt when it comes to hit-the-deck bowling. He has got the raw pace and bowls constantly around 140 km/h. He’s still honing the craft of death bowling and has made significant improvements in that area. He was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 2.60 crore ahead of IPL 2022.

In this season, he has played only two games and taken three wickets with a not-so-decent economy of 12.00. Nevertheless, his T20 international record is quite decent. In his 11 T20I games he has clinched 13 wickets with a healthy economy of 7.15. He’s developing as a well-rounded pace bowler and has been in the Indian squad. He debuted in the IPL arena with his then franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore and so far he has taken 20 wickets in 30 matches with an economy of 8.68. He has been unfortunate with the injuries but has worked on his fitness diligently.

Rajasthan Royals, his current franchise, has won seven out of their 11 games and are currently placed at the third position in the points table. The RR bowling department has been very effective this season as the pace trio of Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2022-prasidh-krishna-hilariously-throws-the-ball-at-bowler-trent-boult-during-kkr-vs-rr-match/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prasidh Krishna</a> have delivered to the expectations but Navdeep Saini with his seam bowling abilities can’t be neglected. Rajasthan Royals can play Saini in their upcoming games by resting Prasidh Krishna or Kuldeep Sen. He can play a part in the powerplay overs by utilizing his seam bowling to good effect.

11. Varun Aaron

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-638291" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Varun-Aaron.jpg" alt="Varun Aaron" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-638291" class="wp-caption-text">Varun Aaron. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The Gujarat Titans are flying high in their debut season while sitting at the top of the points table by winning eight out of their 11 games by the end of week six. The <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/you-might-come-to-us-next-year-hardik-pandya-wishes-to-have-kieron-pollard-in-gt-for-ipl-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hardik Pandya</a>-led side has surprised everyone with their winning spree as many had raised concerns about their squad being bowling heavy and less potent in the batting department ahead of this season. Bowling has surely been their area of strength as players like Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, etc. have made match-winning efforts right from the start of the season.

Being a pace-dominated bowling line-up, it is difficult to stick with the same bowling group as fatigue kicks in and it becomes essential to use those resources in a calculated manner. Varun Aaron is the right choice to include in the playing XI as the likes of Shami and Ferguson will be rested for some games ahead of the important playoff stage. Varun Aaron has played two games and taken two wickets so far. He can be someone who can go for runs in the powerplay phase but is a wicket-taking option for sure.

In his IPL career, he has bagged 44 wickets in 52 matches at an economy of 8.94. He has got the experience as he has been in the IPL circuit since 2011. He is a quick, well-rounded fast bowler who can provide those crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay. If used shrewdly, he can benefit Gujarat Titans in the absence of Mohammed Shami and Lockie Ferguson. It seems quite obvious that he will get an opportunity in the games to come as the likes of Shami and Ferguson might be rested.

IPL 2022 has completed six weeks of intense cricketing action.

IPL 2022: Best benched XI from the sixth week

IPL 2022 is all done with its sixth week and some players from each franchises are still warming the benches.