IPL 2018: 5 unsold batsmen who may return as injury replacements

IPL auction has thrown many surprises over the years. It's an event where even unknown players become millionaires overnight and on the other hand, even the best of the players can be sold cheaply. Colin Munro has been a classic example this year. The No.1 T20 batsman in the world was bought by Delhi Daredevils for a price of just Rs. 1.9 crore this year. In contrast, little known Krishnappa Gowtham was bought for Rs. 7.2 crore by Rajasthan Royals.

While there's a completely different class of players who go unsold even after being the best in the world. Though the IPL rules give such a player another chance to get through the back door into the league as a replacement for injured players. There have been several instances of players being unsold in the auction but making it big as an injury replacement in the league, one of many being Chris Gayle who came back strong in 2011 after remaining unsold in the auction.

Here are a few of those unlucky batsmen that may find their way back in the league this year as injury replacements:

#5 Lendl Simmons

Lendl Simmons, one of the best T20 batsman in the world was associated with Mumbai Indians in the previous seasons and has played several match-winning knocks for the franchise. The West Indian who is currently playing for Karachi Kings in the PSL has been out of the West Indies squad for a while now but continues to shine in various T20 leagues around the world.

It was Simmons who played a prominent role in Mumbai Indians winning the tournament in 2015. He scored 540 runs in 13 matches at an average of 45.00 falling just 23 runs short of winning the orange cap in the season.

It was surprising to see him going unsold in the auction this year but he still has a chance to get back in the league through the back door.