IPL 2019: 5 foreign players who have performed poorly so far
IPL teams always look for quality foreign players. With only 4 overseas spots in every team, these players are expected to perform in every single match.
Players like David Warner, Jos Buttler, Andre Russell, and Jonny Bairstow have already started making news with their performances. Players like these will play a big role in deciding the fate of their respective franchises
Now, let's look at 5 overseas players who have performed poorly in this year of IPL so far.
#1 Chris Lynn
Kolkata Knight Riders rely heavily on their openers Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine to score in the powerplay. With Sunil Narine as the pinch-hitter, the role of Chris Lynn becomes even more important to give a good start. Lynn has done this role to perfection in the last two years of the IPL.
This year, he has looked out of touch so far. Teams are introducing spin against him to expose his weakness against turning deliveries. He has managed to score only 37 runs with the highest score of 20 in 3 matches so far.
He needs to find his form very soon to retain his spot in the playing XI.
#2 Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians over the years. He has been one of the best all-rounders in the history of IPL.
Last year, we saw him go through a dip in form which forced Mumbai Indians to drop him from the playing XI. This year as well, he has not been able to replicate his past heroics.
In the 3 games so far, he has managed to score only 33 runs with the bat. He is yet to bowl in this edition of IPL so far.
Mumbai Indians soon might look to replace him with Ben Cutting or Ishan Kishan in the starting eleven.
#3 Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer attracted attention with his heavy-hitting when he played against India in last October. Royal Challengers Bangalore paid INR 4.2 crore for his ability to play spin and clear the boundary with ease.
RCB has not managed to find the right combination with their team so far. Batting seems to be their main concern. The performance of Hetmyer has not helped the team either. He has thrown his wicket in every single game.
With scores of 0, 5, 9 and 1 in four games, he has failed to score runs this year so far. With RCB still looking for the right combination, it will be hard for him to find a place in playing XI in upcoming matches.
#4 Colin de Grandhomme
Colin de Grandhomme is yet to produce any noticeable performance in the IPL so far. He has been lucky to find a place in starting XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore due to the absence of Marcus Stoinis, but that's set to change with the Australian back and having started in RCB's defeat against RR.
With only 43 runs in 3 matches, he didn't grab the opportunity to cement his place in the playing XI, not taking any wicket has not helped him either. Without Stoinis, he was supposed to build the innings after early dismissals. He failed to do so and finally, RCB dropped him against Rajasthan Royals.
It will be difficult for him to find a place in the team from now on.
#5 Steven Smith
Steven Smith is making a comeback this year after missing out of IPL due to 1-year ban last year. His Aussie colleague David Warner has already begun with a bang, with Smith finding his nick gradually.
He has managed to score 20, 28 and a match-winning 38 in the three innings in which he has batted so far. He was supposed to finish the game for Rajasthan Royals against Kings XI Punjab but he got out to Sam Curran and eventually, Royals lost the match.
For a player of his class, it can be expected that this phase won't last long. Royals' fans will be expecting him to blast in the upcoming matches and show the world that he is back.
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