IPL 2022: Flop XI from league stages of the competition

Rohit Sharma didn't hit a single half-century in the IPL 2022 [P.C: IPLT20]

Only two games remain before the winners of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are crowned.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will go head-to-head in Qualifier 2 to seal a berth in the IPL 2022 finals. Debutant Gujarat Titans (GT) have already booked their spot in the finals.

The league stage, which saw 70 high-octane encounters, starting on March 26, ended with a clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 22.

The league stage witnessed some astounding knocks by the batters and many match-winning spells by the bowlers. With ten franchises, this IPL season saw several youngsters stepping up and making a name for themselves.

However, some proven performers failed to live up to their billing and failed to manifest their mettle in the tournament.

On that note, let us take a look at the players who were far from their best and flopped in the league stage of the IPL 2022 season.

Openers: Rohit Sharma (MI) and Kane Williamson (SRH)

Rohit Sharma had a season to forget 🤯

#IPL #ipl2022 #mumbaiindians https://t.co/3xN4nsQV2I

Two modern-day greats in Rohit Sharma and Kane Williamson endured a torrid IPL 2022 campaign. Both captains were unable to contribute to their IPL teams, which proved to be one of their teams' frailties this time around.

For the very first time in his career, Sharma couldn't manage to hit a single half-century in a season. While he looked in good touch in most of his games, the Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper could only gather 268 runs at a mediocre strike rate of 120.

Kane Williamson, on the other hand, looked out of sorts this campaign. He entered the tournament following a prolonged injury layoff and a superlative ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

However, lPL 2022 couldn’t have been any worse for the Kiwi as he struggled for runs. When in form, Williamson is one of the most appealing batters to watch but he has only scored 216 runs at a strike rate of under 100.

View the IPL 2022 orange cap here.

Middle order: Matthew Wade (WK) (GT), Mayank Agarwal (PBKS), Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)

Not the best of IPL seasons for Ravindra Jadeja 😣

Pretty sure, he will be back stronger next year 💪

📸: IPL

#WhistlePodu #IPL2022 #CricketTwitter https://t.co/Tx30LlPpFH

World Cup winner Matthew Wade will be our wicket-keeper in this XI. The Australian was picked up by debutants Gujarat Titans (GT) following his impressive run with his national side. However, the 34-year-old has struggled for runs in the marquee event.

In eight league outings, Wade scored a meager 114 runs at a mediocre strike rate of under 115. Fortunately for the Gujarat Titans, his form hasn't cost them a lot since they were the first franchise to qualify for the IPL 2022 finals.

At No. 4 is PBKS skipper Mayank Agarwal. He was lauded for giving his opening position to Jonny Bairstow and demoting himself to the middle order. However, runs were hard to come by in any position for Mayank this season. In 12 innings, the Karnataka-born could only amass 195 runs with an average of just 16 and a strike rate of below 123.

Do you think Mayank Agarwal's poor IPL season, his first as captain, cost him his place in the Indian Test side?

Ravi Shastri thinks it's played a part 👀

#ENGvIND #IPL2022 https://t.co/HSfZXjrrGE

Ravindra Jadeja completes the middle order for this team. Jadeja, who is one of the highest-paid players in the league, was handed the captaincy before the commencement of the season. Unfortunately for him, everything has gone downhill since his appointment as skipper for CSK.

The all-rounder missed the last four matches of the tournament due to an injury, playing just 10 matches this campaign. With the bat, he managed just 116 runs despite being promoted up the order.

Jadeja wasn't successful with the ball either, picking up just five wickets, three of which came in a single game. He eventually opted to hand the captaincy back to MS Dhoni after CSK's poor performance under the Saurashtra man.