IPL 2018: 5 IPL veterans who have the worst strike rates in this IPL

T20 cricket has evolved over the last one decade and IPL has been at the helm of it. Batsmen focus on clearing the boundaries more often and the bowlers try new techniques to keep the game in the balance.

IPL 2018 has been phenomenal in terms of run scoring as the average run rate is in excess of 8.5 and an average of 170-180 runs are being scored in 20 overs. In such a season in which run-scoring has been phenomenal, a few IPL veterans have failed to make much of an impact for their sides this season.

When as many as 5 players have a strike rate in excess of 170 after playing at least 50 balls, 9 players are not able to manage a 120 strike rate and especially two players were not able to score even run-a-ball. Notably, the five players with the worst strike rates in this IPL have each played more than 100 matches in IPL.

Here are the five IPL veterans with worst strike rate this season:

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#5 Ravindra Jadeja - Chennai Super Kings: 115.68

Ravindra Jadeja was retained by the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the auction in addition to MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Right from the start of this IPL, MS Dhoni gave Jadeja chances to bat high up the order as he wanted him to take more responsibility with the bat.

Jadeja could not live up to the expectations put on him as he failed to impress with the bat. In the eight innings that he batted, he scored 59 runs off 51 balls which included only 3 fours and 2 sixes. Jadeja has not been at his best and it will be interesting to see how MS Dhoni will alter the batting order.

#4 Manish Pandey - Sunrisers Hyderabad: 112.19

Manish Pandey has been off-colour ever since he joined the Orange Army. It looks like as if he is being weighed down by the hefty price tag of 11 cr.

In nine innings, he scored 184 runs off 164 balls including 13 fours and 2 sixes. He was bought by the Sunrisers to beef up the middle order as he was expected to provide stability in the middle overs. But due to his repeated failures, the table toppers have faltered with the bat more often than not, thanks to their bowling they are at the top.

If Manish Pandey doesn't come good with the bat anytime soon, Deepak Hooda might replace him in the playing XI. But the chances of that happening are less as the SRH management has a lot of belief in Pandey and they will be hoping that he'll be at his best soon.

#3 Kieron Pollard - Mumbai Indians: 108.57

Kieron Pollard was a mainstay in the Mumbai Indians' batting lineup for eight long years and was duly retained by MI during the auction. He hasn't performed well for the Mumbai-based franchise and was dropped from the side for JP Duminy and Ben Cutting.

In the six innings that he batted, he scored 76 runs off 70 balls and has ended up with a strike rate of 108.57 so far. His strike rate this season is so uncharacteristic as his overall IPL strike rate is 144.93.

With the ability to win matches singlehandedly, Pollard can change any match upside and his sub-par performances in this year might be the reason for MI struggle this season.

#2 Gautam Gambhir - Delhi Daredevils: 96.59

After playing seven long years for KKR, Gautam Gambhir was back in Delhi Daredevils and has stated before the start of the tournament that he wanted to win it for his home franchise.

Things did not turn out as planned for Gambhir as he hasn't been impressive with the bat and has underperformed for the side. As the captain of the side, he stepped down by taking the responsibility of teams losses and that made way for Prithvi Shaw to feature in the playing XI.

Gautam Gambhir scored just 85 runs off 88 balls in the five innings that he played. What's more interesting is that in his first innings he scored a 42-ball 55 and in the remaining matches he could only manage 30 runs from 46 balls.

#1 Yuvraj Singh - Kings XI Punjab: 91.42

Just like Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh returned to his first franchise and both the southpaws haven't performed for their sides. In the five innings that he played, Yuvraj Singh scored 64 runs from 70 deliveries.

His strike rate is the lowest in the tournament and he was duly dropped by Kings XI Punjab and replaced by Manoj Tiwary.

Yuvraj Singh's overall IPL record has been impressive but he could not perform well in this season. The same can be noticed by observing the difference in his overall IPL strike rate and his strike rate this year, which are 129.82 and 91.42 respectively.