IPL 2018: 3 unsold players who are returning to the tournament as commentators 

Each year, several players go unsold in the auctions but make a return to the tournament in some way or the other.

While some make a comeback as replacements for injured players, others join the support staff or commentary team.

As many as 100 commentators are participating in the tournament, for various languages – English, Hindi, Bengali and Tamil among others.

Here’s taking a look at 5 players who played last year, went unsold this year but are all set to return as commentators.

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#3 Rajat Bhatia – Hindi commentary

Bhatia managed only 2 wickets from 3 games last year with Rising Pune Supergiant

Rajat Bhatia is among many other Hindi commentators announced for this year’s Indian Premier League.

The veteran all-rounder has been around for more than a decade now and, has been a part of Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant.

From 95 IPL games, Bhatia has 342 runs and 71 wickets. Last year, in particular, he played only 3 games, from which he scored 16 runs and took 2 wickets.

Form has not been on the 38-year-old’s side, which is why he went unsold in the auction this year, and will now be trying his luck as a Hindi commentator.

#2 Ashok Dinda – Bengali commentary

The Bengal bowler has played for four IPL teams

The veteran bowler, who has played for as many as four IPL teams (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Warriors India, Delhi Daredevils and Rising Pune Supergiant), has 68 wickets from 78 IPL games.

But, he managed to take only 1 wicket from 3 matches last year. Thus, he was released by the Supergiant and, there were no bidders for him this year.

The Bengali cricketer is now back to IPL as a commentator. Dinda will be commentating in his mother tongue.

#1 Irfan Pathan – Hindi commentary

Irfan Pathan will be seen as a commentator in IPL this year

In a career full of frequent injuries, the Baroda pacer has not been able to live up to the expectations which were made from him when he was at his peak.

He went unsold in the auctions last year too but, made a comeback as a replacement for Dwayne Bravo in the Gujarat Lions squad.

However, he featured in only a solitary game, in which he remained wicketless. This year, the all-rounder's name was included in the player’s auction draft, but surprisingly, he wasn’t auctioned at the event in Bangalore.

Once a bright prospect, Irfan Pathan will now be trying his hand at entertaining the viewers with his commentary, if not with the ball.