IPL 2018: A playing XI of Indians who underperformed

Lower order

Wriddhiman Saha (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

India's Test match wicket-keeper has shockingly been displaced by Shreevats Goswami in the Sunrisers Hyderabad side. The only Indian cricketer to score a century in an IPL final, Saha, was bought by the SRH for ₹5 crore.

The 2011 IPL winner played the opening 10 games for the Orange Army in the league stage, in which he managed to score just 87 runs at a strike-rate of 116.0. He was also one of the players under-performing in their middle-order.

Though Saha's keeping is second to none, his batting has often been called into question. He was dropped due to his poor showing, with 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup winning wicket-keeper batsman, Shreevats Goswami, replacing him in the side. The replacement keeper has scored handy runs and has strengthened his place in the side.

It's a massive surprise that the Indian test wicket-keeper has been overlooked, but his disappointing batting performances left SRH with no choice.

Washington Sundar (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Just a few months back, Washington Sundar had the world at his feet, and remarkably he's just 18 years old. The find of IPL 2017 had displayed remarkable temperament in Indian colours and he was named the Man of the Tournament in the Nidahas Trophy that was played just before the IPL.

Royal Challengers Bangalore paid ₹3.2 crores for his signature in the 2018 auction. He was expected to be a vital cog in Royal Challengers Bangalore's title charge, but the young boy endured the 'second-season syndrome' which saw Sundar fail to live up to expectations this season.

Skipper Virat Kohli surprisingly opted not to play to Sundar's strengths, as he was not handed the new ball with which he worked his magic over the past year. He managed to picked up only four wickets in seven games at a poor economy rate of 9.60. His exploits with the bat were promising but he didn't get too many chances to show off his abilities batting at No.7 or 8.

He was bought for his all-round abilities but his failure left a big hole in Royal Challengers Bangalore lineup. It was astonishing that Kohli dropped the young lad after just 7 matches, and didn't go back to him despite his side's struggles.

This will be a massive dent in the youngster's confidence, and it will be interesting to see him fight his way back into playing XI the Indian team.