IPL 2018: Four former T20 World Cup winning stars who have been disastrous so far in this year's IPL
Over the years, IPL has presented a golden opportunity for former cricketers to get into the reckoning for a place in the national side.
There have been instances where consistent performances throughout the season have been rewarded with chances.
However, there are a few players whose form as well as fitness levels have dipped. Owing to this, they are struggling to even find a place in their respective teams in the IPL.
There is a famous saying, "The old gives way for the new". In any sport, there comes a time when you have to call curtains.
If the players don't evaluate themselves and take a decision then the teams will. IPL is a very competitive league where one bad performance by a player can mean the end of the road for the team.
This is especially true as we near the business end of the tournament. Looking at this year's IPL, it seems like some players are past their prime and in all probability, it is a do or die situation for them.
Here are the four world cup winners who have had a disastrous first half:
#4 Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard made his ODI debut in the 2007 World Cup against South Africa. He is known for his powerful shots and was an integral part of the Windies squad when they won the World T20 in 2012.
In T20I's, the burly all-rounder has scored 581 runs at a strike-rate of 131 and picked up 23 wickets for the national team.
During this year's auction, Mumbai Indians retained him using their RTM card for 5.40 crores. Going by his performances during the first half of the IPL, it seems like the decision to retain him has gone wrong.
In the seven matches that he has played, he has just scored 76 runs at an average of 15.2. From being one of the most feared batsmen in the death overs to being a liability in the current side, Pollard's IPL journey seems to have completed a full circle.
With the likes of Ben Cutting in the squad, it will be interesting to see if he gets any more opportunities in the second half of the tournament.