IPL 2018: 4 benched players who can change their teams' fortunes
After the completion of the IPL XI auctions, which took place earlier this year, every team looked formidable on paper. But cricket is played on a pitch and hence some teams that looked intimidating on paper have gone meek and the owners are receiving loads of questions.
Mumbai Indians, with all the big names like Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and the Pandya brothers, have won just one game in six matches and are currently sitting below seven teams in the points table. After a decade of humiliation and severe trolling, Royal Challengers Bangalore's team finally looked good on paper. Kolkata Knight Riders spent every single penny that they had to get big names on their team.
But these aforementioned teams have not yet found their footing this season whereas teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, who lack star-power, and Chennai Super Kings, filled with aged cricketers, are ruling the pack. But the teams currently having a dress circle seat in a pit full of ignominy can turn things around if they give a chance to these benched cricketers.
#4 Ben Cutting (Mumbai Indians)
The points table clearly states that Mumbai Indians have won just one out of their six matches, but what it does not is the fact that they need to win at least seven out of their remaining eight games to make it to the playoffs. They are very much in a make or break situation and if this is not the right time to bench Kieron Pollard then there is not any.
The giant from Trinidad has scored just 63 runs in 6 games at an average of around 15 and is yet to bowl. Mumbai are in dire need of an all-rounder and they have one in Australian Ben Cutting. 'Cuttsy', as he is called by his teammates, has played just one game and did not make much of a contribution. But his IPL career average is over 22 and strike rate is over 175. Moreover, with an economy rate of under 9 runs per over and 7 wickets to his name, he can be an efficacious bowler.