IPL is arguably the best domestic league in the world. It is a highly competitive tournament featuring star players from across the world. There have been instances when the best players failed to nail down a spot in the teams’ playing XI. Team combinations, overseas slots, and matchups often result in few players missing out from the XI. Not just for one odd game, there have been players who have perennially been unlucky. here are Unlucky Players In IPL History
StumpsandBails looks at 6 such unlucky players in IPL history:
#6 Nathu Singh
Nathu Singh made headlines in the 2015-16 Ranji season. He took 7/87 on debut for Rajasthan. Mumbai Indians (MI) paid a whopping INR 3.2 crores in 2016 for him. However, Nathu never played a game for MI. He finally made his IPL debut while playing for Gujarat Lions in 2017. Singh bowled four overs across two games and conceded just 15 runs and picked up a wicket. Nathu has fine T20 numbers. Hence, despite getting so much limelight, Nathu hasn’t got consistent opportunities.
#5 Shahbaz Nadeem
Shahbaz Nadeem has played just 72 games across 10 seasons in the IPL. He was part of the Delhi franchise since his debut in 2011. Nadeem bowled his heart out in almost all the games he played. In 2018, SRH picked him. He kept playing the odd game here and there but could never nail down a spot. Nadeem’s economy rate of 7.56 is very impressive yet he isn’t a sure starter in the playing XI.
#4 Vishnu Vinod
Vishnu Vinod has been a prolific performer in the domestic circuit. He has kept piling on the runs year after year. RCB had picked Vinod in 2017. He got to play 3 games as an injury replacement to KL Rahul. Vinod could muster just 19 runs in the 3 games. He never got an opportunity to play in the IPL again. DC picked Vinod in 2021 IPL auctions but he hasn’t played a game yet. His overall T20 numbers are mighty impressive. He strikes at 136 and averages 30.20 with the bat.
#3 Baba Aparajith
Baba Aparajith was an integral member of India’s U-19 World Cup-winning side in 2012. He was one of the most promising young Indian batsmen at that time. His off-spin ability made him a utility player. CSK picked Aparajith in the 2013 auctions. But he failed to get a single game in the star-studded CSK outfit for 3 straight seasons. Rising Pune Supergiant then picked him in 2016 auctions. He failed to get a game for 2 straight seasons there.
Fun fact: MS Dhoni was Rising Pune Supergiant captain in 2016.
#2 Ben Cutting
Ben Cutting is someone who can have an impact with both bat and ball. But the lanky all-rounder has played just 21 IPL games up until this point. Cutting has pretty decent numbers even in those 21 games. He strikes the ball at 168.79 with 19 sixes to his credit. Cutting provides vital breakthroughs with the ball too.
He made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2014 but played just a single game. SRH picked him in 2016. He played 4 games apiece in both seasons (2016 & 2017). Cutting was the player of the match in the final of the 2016 season. He scored a 15-ball 39 before picking a couple of important wickets. But to think of the fact that such a match-winner like him has been so under-utilized makes one feel for him.
#1 Jalaj Saxena
Jalaj Saxena is a domestic legend. He is a veteran in terms of experience in the domestic circuit. But for a player of his potential and class, he has never got his due at the IPL level. MI picked Saxena in 2013 and he was with the squad for 2 seasons. RCB picked him in the 2015 auctions. DC bought him in 2018 while Punjab Kings bought him in 2021. He finally played an IPL game in 2021 and conceded 27 runs in 3 overs. Saxena surely deserves better.
Also read: There Will Be Pressure On Pakistan For T20-WC: Gautam Gambhir
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