IPL 2022: Team-wise one player who should be benched for rest of the season

The first week of IPL 2022 was quite dramatic. Almost every team in the competition showed a lot of flair and potential. Perhaps teams like KKR, RR and GT have also started to boss the points table.

However, the initial games of the tournament have also made franchises aware of their possible shortcomings. So far because of the unavailability of all overseas players, the teams are playing with blemished squads. Even some injury concerns have badly affected heavyweights like MI, CSK and DC.

Therefore in this list, let’s analyze one player who can be potentially benched by each team.

1. MI- Anmolpreet Singh

This cricketer from Punjab has been part of the MI family since 2019. In the last IPL, the batter also made his debut against CSK. In his recent two games, Anmolpreet has batted twice at number three against DC and RR. Woefully, both his innings haven’t yielded any big scores.

In his first IPL 2022 game, the 24-year old just scored eight runs. In order to attack the spinner, Anmolpreet got himself dismissed in a poor fashion. Even against RR, the cricketer experienced a soft dismissal without making an impact. So far his selection in the team was possible because of the injured Suryakumar Yadav.

Overall, after a disappointing loss against RR, the MI team will fast track Suryakumar Yadav in place of Anmolpreet Singh. Maybe a rapid knock of thirty-thirty five runs against Rajasthan could have given him a longer rope. But apparently, after two consecutive losses, MI will enroll Sky and bench Anmolpreet.

2. CSK- Mukesh Choudhary

Well, this young pacer from Rajasthan had an awful IPL debut. Though the left-arm seamer bowled well in the power play, his latter overs cost him big runs. The cricketer on his debut was replacing Adam Milne who is carrying a minor injury. Unfortunately, even his other teammate Chris Jordan has been enduring Tonsillitis.

Against LSG, Choudhary leaked 39 runs without completing his full quota. CSK still gave him a chance in the game against Punjab Kings preferring Mukesh over Tushar. The left-arm seamer started well picking up a wicket of Mayank Agarwal but was taken apart by Liam Livingstone. He went for 26 runs in a single over and ended up conceding 52 runs in his four overs.

Overall, as CSK has lacked scalping wickets early, they might get tempted to replace Choudhary with some other player. Maheesh Theekshana is one player who carries a big reputation of being an effective power play scalper.

3. KKR- Shivam Mavi

So far the KKR franchise is only carrying a single chink in their armour. Sadly, the bowling of Shivam Mavi hasn’t been effective for skipper S Iyer. The youngster in his first two games conceded runs at an economy of over 12. By grabbing just a single wicket, Mavi hasn’t been at his best in IPL 2022.

Against CSK, the 23-year old had an average outing without any wickets. Then against RCB, the spearhead was benched. However, against PBKS, Mavi leaked 39 runs in his two overs inside a total of 137 runs. Perhaps to even replace this cricketer, the purple army barely has sizable options.

Maybe, if once Pat Cummins is available then the Aussie might replace this youngster. However, to play Cummins, the KKR management might then have to drop one of their overseas players. In a possible scenario, by dropping Sam Billings, Pat Cummins can come in and Sheldon Jackson will have to keep wickets. Otherwise, for direct replacements, the local options include Ashok Sharma or Rasikh Salam.

4. LSG- Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey in his first two outings hasn’t scored runs. The IPL veteran has just been ineffective to contribute handsomely for Lucknow. Amongst all of his batting teammates, Pandey is averaging the lowest (5.5). A big score is now due to get him settled.

Perhaps with regards to his two dismissals, the 32-year old was first bowled by a dazzling delivery from Mohammed Shami. Against CSK, the batter was guilty of playing a rash shot. Particularly in that game, Pandey was excepted to make a healthy contribution. So far the middle-order coming to the rescue has allowed this cricketer to not fret.

Overall, Pandey is expected to get opportunities. Otherwise just to replace him, the LSG management can bring Manan Vohra at number three. All in all, we hope that soon against SRH, Pandey registers a massive score.

5. GT- Vijay Shankar

Just like LSG, even Titans have issues with their number three. A solid candidate like Vijay Shankar has just not made runs to establish himself. Unfortunately in both his dismissals, the cricketer has been bowled through the gate. So far in IPL 2022, Shankar has been averaging just 8.50.

Perhaps in the second game against DC, the 31-year old had an excellent opportunity to score big. As GT was batting first, Shankar could have amassed runs as Shubman Gill did. Unfortunately while looking to hit Kuldeep Yadav, the batter got out for just 13 runs.

Nevertheless, to replace him, Gujarat can bring Wriddhiman Saha at number three. In the past, the veteran gloveman has made valuable contributions as a top-order batter. His gameplay will also allow him to exhibit himself freely in the power play. Also when it comes to playing spin, Saha has attacking shots compared to Vijay Shankar. Overall, it will be interesting to see how long does skipper Pandya persists with Vijay Shankar.

6. RCB- Anuj Rawat

Last year in IPL 2021, Anuj Rawat made his IPL debut. The batter, however, had just faced a single ball and was untested. But in his recent two games, Anuj hasn’t made a mark. Despite getting a steady start in the first match, the southpaw threw his wicket away.

Also, with regards to his second appearance, the youngster registered a duck against KKR. While chasing a modest target of 128, Anuj could have looked for a prolonged stay. However, if  RCB wants to bench him now then ideally Mahipal Lomror can be the replacement.

Generally in such a scenario, Virat Kohli would then open the innings with Faf Du Plessis. At number three, the 22-year old Lomror can then play explosively or according to the situation. All in all, if the red army wants to bench Anuj Rawat then they have adequate solutions.

7. PBKS- Raj Bawa

For the newly shaped Punjab Kings, Raj Bawa has massively underperformed. The U19 World Cup sensation has just not been able to get going in IPL 2022. Twice while coming to bat at crucial stages, the youngster has succumbed to pressure.

Woefully in his debut game, the all-rounder registered a duck against the bowling of Mohammad Siraj. Even against KKR, the 19-year old just couldn’t bail the Punjab batting. That’s why maybe for an effective solution, PBKS can swap Bawa with Rishi Dhawan.

Practically Punjab’s bowling also suffering makes Rishi Dhawan an interesting option to consider. The 32-year old is also in a lethal form both with the bat and ball. Interestingly, PBKS benched Raj Bawa for the game against CSK and included Vaibhav Arora in the playing XI.

8. SRH- Abhishek Sharma

In recent times, Abhishek Sharma has transformed himself into a top-order batter. The cricketer from Punjab has also scored plenty of runs in his new position. But unfortunately against RR, the youngster struggled to bat steadily. In his brief stay, the southpaw just scored 9 runs from 19 deliveries.

Perhaps his promotion at the top also then affected the position of other batters. The likes of Aiden Markram who bats in the top three were found at number five. Even the gloveman Nicholas Pooran went to bat outside his comfort zone against RR.

Ideally, to sort this, the orange army can opt to play Priyam Garg in place of Abhishek. The 21-year old Garg can bat anywhere in the top six allowing both Markram and Pooran to play in their comfortable position. Even with regards to the all-rounder’s bowling, Markram can provide the additional overs. Overall, to bring soundness to their batting order, SRH can experiment with different combinations.

9. DC- Mandeep Singh

Before IPL 2022, Mandeep Singh was in scorching hot form. The batter had an incredible first-class season and looked tailor-made, to begin with. However, in his first two matches, Mandeep has barely contributed. Against MI, the cricketer experienced a very soft dismissal.

So far having scored just 18 runs in total has raised many questions marks about his selection. Perhaps if DC wants to bench him then they have fitting resources to match. Much like Mandeep even his teammate Sarfaraz Khan is in prime hot form. The 24-year old Sarfaraz can either bat at number three or even below.

Overall, if number three is quite high for Sarfaraz then maybe skipper Pant or Lalit Yadav can promote themselves. It remains to be seen if Mandeep Singh gets more chances given his recent failures.

10. RR- Yashasvi Jaiswal

Much like other teams, even RR has Yashasvi Jaiswal flunking. Barring him, almost every other RR batter has scored runs impressively. Against MI, the southpaw had a very poor dismissal. Despite Jos Buttler being the attacker, Jaiswal hasn’t played to his strengths.

Perhaps if RR wants to bench Jaiswal then Karun Nair can replace him. In fact, if Rajasthan even wants to persist with the left-right pair then Padikkal can also bat up. Rather number three will be tailor-made for Nair to exhibit himself smoothly.

Overall, the 30-year old can also be used as a floater, unlike Jaiswal who only bats in the top three. However, the winning spree will barely propel the franchise to make the above changes.