IPL 2018: 5 international players who had a horrible start to their IPL careers

Playing in the cash-rich league is a dream for many international players. One successful season at the IPL and your fortunes can change like how. While massive bidding took place at the auctions for foreign players who had done well in their respective domestic leagues, not many of them have performed up to the mark so far.

From scripting a dream debut in their minds to having a nightmare on the field, these five international players shared the same fate.

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#5 Tom Curran

The Englishman was roped in by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for Australian speedster Mitchell Starc. Curran played his first game of the season against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Although Curran took two wickets in the game, he ended up being on the expensive side as he conceded 39 runs in 3 overs. Sam Billings took him apart in the middle overs as CSK chased down 203.

Curran was benched by KKR in the next game as they went back to Mitchell Johnson. While Curran will definitely get a couple of more chances, he would have to make them count if he wants to continue being a part of the IPL.

#4 Akila Dananjaya

Akila Dananjaya's bowling was taken apart by Rishabh Pant (Image: FB/Cricket World)

The mystery spinner from Sri Lanka was bought at his base price of Rs 50 lakh by Mumbai Indians (MI). After losing two games, the team brought in Dananjaya and benched New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan for the match against Delhi Daredevils (DD).

Dananjaya gave away 47 runs without taking any wicket in his spell. DD’s Rishabh Pant made it hard for him to settle and smashed him for boundaries at will.

Mumbai can use the services of Adam Milne who has come in as a replacement for Pat Cummins. It is unlikely that Dananjaya would get another chance.

#3 Mark Wood

Mark Wood is a specialist bowler in the death overs (Image: FB/CSK)

The English speedster was bagged by CSK for Rs 1.50 crore at the auctions. A specialist at the death overs, Wood has been impressive at the domestic circuit as well as for England. In his debut match against MI, it was a different story. Wood gave away 49 runs in his four overs and was wicket-less.

Wood was benched in the next game. CSK have opted for services from the Indian pacers and Sam Billings who strengthens the batting order. CSK have also roped in David Willey for Lungi Ngidi. It is unlikely that Wood would get another chance this season.

#2 Evin Lewis

Evin Lewis got out for a duck in his debut game against CSK (Image: FB/MI)

The stylish left-handed opening batsman from West Indies is a big hitter of the cricket ball in the shorter format. Lewis’s two centuries against India in the T20Is made him an exciting prospect in the IPL.

From his base price of Rs 1.50 crore, he went on to make Rs 3.80 crore as MI and SRH were involved in a bidding war. Representing MI in his first game, Lewis couldn’t even get off the mark as he was given leg-before-wicket on the second delivery bowled by CSK’s Deepak Chahar.

In his next outing, Lewis got off to a decent start and made 29 from 17 balls before he bowled by SRH's Siddarth Kaul. Lewis showed glimpses of what he can do in his third game as he scored a quick-fire 48 from 28 balls against DD. After a disappointing start, Lewis is putting in some decent performances.

#1 D’Arcy Short

D'Arcy Short is an aggressive opening batsman who has done well in the Big Bash League (Image: FB/RR)

Rajasthan Royals (RR) spent a whopping Rs 4 crore for the Australian all-rounder’s services. Short had a terrific season at the Big Bash League and was the leading run scorer. He definitely caught the attention of the Indian scouts as four teams were bidding for him at the auctions.

From his base price of Rs 20 lakh, he went on to fetch Rs 4 crore. However, in his first game against SRH, Short was on 4 from 4 balls when he found short of the crease. A direct hit from Kane Williamson ended his debut innings.

In his second game, he failed to impress again as he was run out after scoring 6 against DD. Short failed to make a mark on his third outing as well. Against RCB, he scored just 11 from 17 balls. Short might be replaced by South African batsman, Heinrich Klaasen who is in good form