IPL 2018: One player from each franchise who would have been perfect for another franchise

Creating the ideal squad in any sport is next to impossible, especially when external factors like injuries are taken into consideration.

In that sense, most of the IPL teams this season have managed to assemble strong squads with almost all the bases covered. However, there are still a few weaknesses present in each unit that oppositions attempt to exploit.

Most of these weaknesses could be dealt with just by shifting a couple of players here and there.

On that note, here is a look at one player from each franchise ideally suited to another franchise:

Royal Challengers Bangalore - Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Royal Challengers Bangalore have time and again been let down by their bowling unit. This was on display last night as well when they were unable to defend a total in excess of 200. The likes of Mohammed Siraj, Chris Woakes and Pawan Negi are just not good enough and they lack a pacer capable of picking up wickets early and coming back at the death and containing the flow of runs, something Bhuvneshwar Kumar excels at.

Bhuvi has become one of India's - and Sunrisers' - leading bowlers in the past few years. In IPL 2018, he has picked up 6 wickets in just 4 matches, at an economy of just over 6, stellar numbers indeed and he would have easily helped RCB pick up a few wins on the way.

Mumbai Indians - Chris Morris

Chris Morris

Mumbai Indians have bestowed too much faith on Kieron Pollard and he has flattered to deceive this season. Mumbai used one of their RTM cards on Pollard and he has not proved his worth so far, contributing to his side's disastrous start.

Chris Morris, on the other hand, can be considered a rich man's Pollard - for want of a better description. He can strike the ball big lower down the order and deliver four quality overs, exactly what the big West Indian used to do at his pomp. Pollard hardly bowls nowadays meaning Morris would be a significant improvement and fit perfectly in this Mumbai side as a direct replacement for the West Indian.

Rajasthan Royals - Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir

Rajasthan Royals made a mess of things in the auction when they spent over the top on the likes of Krishnappa Gowtham and Jaydev Unadkat. Barring Jofra Archer, their bowling unit is possibly one of the worst in the IPL and that is where Imran Tahir would be the perfect addition.

He would strengthen the bowling department considerably and help deliver some lethal overs in the middle stage of the innings. Tahir and Gopal could form a nice combination as well if deployed together, helping Rajasthan stifle the opposition.

Delhi Daredevils - Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya

Delhi Daredevils can do no right. Yet again they sit among the bottom dwellers of the IPL table. When their bowling clicks, their batting lets them down and when their batsmen pile on the runs, their bowlers end up leaking one too many.

In the batting department, their lower order looks weak with Dan Christian woefully out of form and Rahul Tewatia not the most reliable. They also lack a quality fifth bowling option. In that sense, Krunal Pandya would be the ideal player. Pandya delivers four overs of quality spin and is also extremely capable with the willow.

Pandya is averaging 22 and striking at 140 this season and also has six wickets to his name at an economy of 7, top-notch numbers in the format.

Sunrisers Hyderabad - Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock

Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered a massive blow when David Warner was barred from participating in the IPL. Not only did they lose their captain, they also lost arguably the best T20 opener on the planet.

With the injury to Shikhar Dhawan as well, SRH have no real power hitter at the top. While Kane Williamson has got the job done so far, he really prefers playing second fiddle and helping the scoreboard tick over in the company of a hard-hitter. Quinton de Kock, in that sense, would be ideal for SRH at the top.

While de Kock hasn't really gotten going this season in the IPL, he is one of the cleanest strikers of the ball as evidenced by his career strike rate - 132 - in the IPL.

Kolkata Knight Riders - Andrew Tye

Andrew Tye

When Kolkata Knight Riders exited the 2018 auction, they seemed to have a settled squad. However, they have since lost a major chunk of their team, including the likes of Mitchell Starc and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, two members who were expected to star for the side.

In their absence, while Shivam Mavi and Tom Curran have performed reasonably well, KKR still look short of a real pacer. That is where Andrew Tye comes in. Tye is one of the best death bowlers going around and has a variety of slower balls and yorkers that he delivers at will. Tye has picked up 9 wickets from 6 matches already and would be the perfect fit for this KKR side.

Kings XI Punjab - Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler

It was evident right from the start that KXIP lacked a proper keeper. While KL Rahul has exceeded expectations behind the stumps, he is still capable of making a few mistakes. What is also noticeable from the current KXIP squad is that they do not have a proper finisher. David Miller is hit and miss and does not really command a permanent spot in the side anyway.

Jos Buttler, meanwhile, is arguably the best limited-overs finisher in world cricket. He also just happens to be a top-class wicketkeeper and hence fits the bill perfectly. With Gayle and Rahul at the top and Buttler to finish things off, the KXIP squad would be one of the strongest on paper.

Chennai Super Kings - Andre Russell

Andre Russell

At first glance, it appeared as though CSK lacked a top-quality opener. However, Ambati Rayudu has stepped up brilliantly and is the current holder of the Orange Cap. Their batting seems sorted, except for the lower middle order. Their bowling has been their main cause for concern as they have leaked runs right through the tournament. The likes of Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Shane Watson etc are not really capable of bowling their entire quota economically.

CSK also lack a lower order batsman who can share the burden of finishing the innings with MS Dhoni. Jadeja is far from world-class and Dwayne Bravo has developed into more of a bowler. Hence, a lower order batsman who can bowl a couple of overs is what they need and there is no one better than Andre Russell when it comes to that.

Russell has been KKR's best player this season. He is averaging over 40 and striking at over 200, acting as KKR's accelerator at the fag end of the innings. His presence at CSK would ease the pressure on Dhoni's shoulders every time he walks out to bat.

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