IPL 2018: Disappointing XI of the season
For nearly 10 years, IPL has been the best platform for up-and-coming, as well as national discards, to showcase their talent and their rejuvenated form to the cricketing world. Several players have managed to make their way into their national teams after impressive performances for their franchise in IPL. In short, IPL has acted as a springboard to get into national teams.
However, there are always a few players who were expected to set the stage on fire with their on-field skills, but turned out to be nothing but big disappointments. This year, as well, many players have surprisingly underperformed to such a level that critics have even started doubting their abilities to play cricket at the highest level anymore.
Here is the playing XI of the players who have failed to perform in IPL 2018.
Openers
Gautam Gambhir (c)
Gautam Gambhir's return to Delhi Daredevils after 7 years was supposed to be the homecoming of a resurgent hero. Gambhir's tenure as the skipper of KKR led to him being proclaimed as one of the best skippers in the history of IPL, hence his return to DD gave all the fans hope of finally seeing their favourite team enter the finals.
However, what DD has endured so far is one of their worst seasons in the history of IPL.
Gambhir, who scored heavily for KKR in his six seasons with the team, looked out of form from the very first match. In the six matches that he played in this season, he managed to score just 88 runs at a poor strike rate of 97.
After the sixth outing, not only did Gambhir relinquish the captaincy, but also decided to make way for other players in the playing XI. He did not play any match after that, and acted as a mentor to the team.
D'Arcy Short (Rajasthan Royals)
D'Arcy Short, just like Jofra Archer, had a lot of hype surrounding him before the beginning of IPL 2018. After all, he was the Player of the Tournament in the 2017-18 Big Bash League and played a vital role in taking his team to the finals.
While Jofra Archer has managed to live up to the hype surrounding him, the same cannot be said about Short, who has struggled to find his footing on the slow pitches of India.
Despite getting multiple opportunities at the top of the order by the team, the Aussie has failed to make an impact or play a significant inning. In the 7 matches that he has played for the team, Short has only managed to score 115 runs at a poor average of just 16.4 and a rather average strike rate of 116.
With RR fighting for a spot in Qualifier 2, it is highly unlikely that Short will get another opportunity in the playing XI.