IPL 2018: 5 players who failed to live up to their price tag

Indian Premier League has had a fair share of 'rags-to-riches' stories over the years. Some have gone on to become overnight sensation this IPL 2018 like Mayank Markande whereas a lot of players haven't fared well at all. Rajasthan Royals' owners broke their stereotype of not spending and shelled out a lot of money from their kitty during the auctions.

RR managed to purchase the two most expensive players in Jaydev Unadkat and Ben Stokes for Rs 11.5 crore and Rs 12.5 crore respectively. Both the players have been major disappointments this T20 season.

Here is a list of 5 players this IPL 2018 who were purchased for a hefty sum and failed to live up to their hype:

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#5 Marcus Stoinis (KXIP) - Rs 6.2 crore

Marcus Stoinis was picked up by Kings XI Punjab during the auctions for a sum of Rs 6.2 crore. He was given the chance from Day 1 as soon as Kings XI Punjab began their IPL campaign but this Aussie all-rounder failed to recreate his Big Bash League (BBL) magic in IPL.

Kings XI Punjab's coach Virender Sehwag did not shy away from leaving this all-rounder on the bench.

Stoinis played in 7 matches and he just scored 99 runs with an average of 24.75. He also picked a total of 3 wickets during IPL 2018. A lot was expected from Marcus Stoinis and he surely left the KXIP fanbase frustrated.

#4 Chris Lynn (KKR) - Rs 9.6 crore

Chris Lynn

There were serious doubts over Chris Lynn's fitness and that was one of the major reasons why KKR did not retain him as they did in the case of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. Chris Lynn just couldn't set the tone and he clearly failed to live up to the standards that he set in IPL 2017.

IPL 2017 witnessed Lynnsanity and it was a treat to watch him bat last season even though he merely played 7 matches. He got good starts this season but he failed to turn them into a big score.

Chris Lynn scored 491 runs in 16 matches averaging just over 31. His strike-rate reduced drastically from 181 to 130.

#3 Manish Pandey (SRH) - Rs 11 crore

Manish Pandey

The hype around Manish Pandey was immense when he was signed by SRH's owners in the auctions. Pandey has a massive reputation in T20s and he has established himself as one of the most important players wherever he has gone in the history of IPL. He was the 1st Indian player to hit a century in IPL as he struck an unbeaten 114* while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Deccan Chargers in 2009.

He tasted a lot of success at KKR and a lot of credit went in his bag for his finishing. However, this season was a whole new story altogether as he just scored 284 runs in 15 matches averaging just over 25.

Pandey failed to shift gears when SRH needed him the most.

#2 Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals) - Rs 11.5 crore

Unadkat

The 26-year-old fast bowler brought a lot of buzz on the social media as soon as he was roped in by Rajasthan Royals for a staggering amount of Rs 11.5 crore. He had a wonderful last season with Rising Pune Supergiant picking up 24 wickets. Unadkat had a very poor IPL 2018 season as Rajasthan Royals' bowling crumbled in front of most batting lineups in the first half of the season.

Unadkat improved leaps and bounds in the second half of the season as the arrival of Jofra Archer proved to be a blessing for Ajinkya Rahane.

Unadkat only picked 11 wickets in 15 matches. His RPO rate went way over 11 in the first half of the season while it has come down to 9.65 as Rajasthan Royals were eliminated. His performances in 2018 were hardly inspiring.

#1 Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) - Rs 12.5 crore

Stokes was in good form prior to the IPL but didn't replicate his form in India

This player tops the list and most cricket experts would agree so. This English all-rounder had a very successful stint at Rising Pune Supergiant but he has failed to catch the eye this IPL 2018.

Big Ben Stokes scored 196 runs in 13 matches in IPL 2018 with an average of 16.33 which is awful by any measures. He also picked up 8 wickets giving just 8 runs per over which can still be called acceptable. Rajasthan Royals' coach Shane Warne even made him open but nothing seemed to work for him.

The Rs 12.5 crore tag seems to have disrupted his performance meter and Ben Stokes would surely love to put this IPL season behind.