IPL 2018: 5 retained players who have failed to perform so far

The Indian Premier League has entered its third week. After two weeks of action, most of the teams have played 5 matches and their future course of action in the season is becoming apparent.

Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders have surprised the most and are placed 2nd and 3rd on the points table respectively. While Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians have disappointed the most and are placed 6th and 7th on the points table respectively.

After 5 rounds of games, some of the retained players have been disappointing. A team has many expectations from a player that they retain, but 5 of the retained players have failed to deliver in the season so far:

Note: The list also includes players who were retained using Right to Match card in the auction.

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#5 Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami, India's best Test bowler was one of the two fast bowlers retained by Delhi Daredevils using Right to Match in the auction. It was surprising to see Daredevils retaining him despite having a poor history in the league.

Mohammed Shami had an impressive South Africa Test series where he emerged as the joint highest wicket-taker clinching 15 wickets in 3 matches. The teams' decision was based on his performance on the tour and it has turned out to be a poor one.

Shami has a poor record in the IPL. In the 43 matches that he has played in the league, he has taken 21 wickets at an economy of 9.13.

In the ongoing season, he played in the first 4 matches for the franchise before being dropped from the team. He looked ordinary in all the matches and managed to take just 3 wickets at an economy of 10.40.

With other fast bowlers warming the benches, it is unlikely that Shami will find a place in the playing XI for the rest of the season.

#4 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja was one of the three players to be retained by the Chennai Super Kings. It left everyone surprised when he was retained ahead of Ashwin who had a successful history for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

Jadeja has been out of India's limited overs' squad for close to a year now and is being seen as a Test specialist bowler. Still, the Chennai Super Kings showed confidence in him and may be regretting their decision now.

In the ongoing IPL, Jadeja has bowled only 8 overs so far in this season taking one wicket, giving away 62 runs at an economy of 7.75. Also, he has managed to score just 44 runs in the 4 matches that he batted.

He has been promoted up the batting order ahead of Dwayne Bravo and has failed to deliver. With leg-spinner Imran Tahir performing, it is likely that Jadeja will soon be dropped from the team if his poor show continues.

#3 Sarfaraz Khan

Royal Challenger Bangalore retaining Sarfaraz Khan ahead of the auction came as a shock to the fans. It was an unpredictable move by the franchise as they chose him ahead of the likes of KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, and Yuzvendra Chahal, all of whom have delivered for the team in the past.

Retaining Sarfaraz looked like a smart move by the team as only Rs. 3 crore were deducted from the team's auction purse, but it has turned out to be a poor move instead. Sarfaraz Khan has failed to perform in each of the three outings this season. His scores read 6, 0 and 5.

With the team already in big trouble following three losses in the first five matches itself, the team management has to either drop the allrounder permanently after finding a suitable replacement or promote him up the batting order.

#2 Chris Morris

Chris Morris, the South African has been a crucial member of the Delhi Daredevils team over the previous seasons. He was one of the three players retained by the Delhi team following his successful stint with the team over the previous two seasons.

Morris has delivered both with the bat and the ball for the team in the past and has single-handedly won many matches for his team. Morris is the only experienced all-rounder in the team and thus a bigger responsibility rests upon his shoulders.

In the ongoing season, his bowling has looked ordinary. In the 4 matches that he has played so far, he has taken 3 wickets at a poor economy of 10.21. Also, he has scored 46 runs at a strike rate of 176.92 and has remained not-out thrice.

Although he has been impressive with the bat, Delhi Daredevils have not been able to reap the benefits as he is batting in the lower order. The team needs to promote him up the order in the upcoming matches to get the best out of him.

#1 Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard, the West Indian all-rounder has been a mainstay in the Mumbai Indians team ever since he has joined them. He was retained by the franchise following a successful season in 2017 where he scored 385 runs in 17 matches at an average of 29.61 and a strike rate of 139.49.

The team owners and the fans have many expectations from the all-rounder, but he has failed to perform in the season so far. Pollard who is famous for his attacking style of batting is still searching for his breakthrough innings of the season.

In the ongoing season, he has played in 5 matches in which he has scored 54 runs at a strike rate of 105.88. Pollard has not bowled a single over in this season and it indicates that he is being played as a batsman rather than an all-rounder. If his poor show with the bat continues, the team management would be left with no options left but to drop him.