IPL 2018: A playing XI of Indians who underperformed

Bowlers

Axar Patel (Kings XI Punjab)

Axar Patel has been a match winner for Kings XI Punjab over the last few years. Despite that, it was a surprising move that they decided to retain him prior to the auction, instead of looking to buy him from the auction. Considering this, he has had a really poor season and didn’t do anything significant this year.

He was surprisingly not backed much by skipper Ravichandran Ashwin, despite being a spinner himself. Axar played only 9 games, but he managed just 3 wickets at an economy rate of 8.38. These numbers are not acceptable from a retained player. He didn’t do much with the bat as well, as he scored just 80 runs in 8 innings.

Better performances from Axar Patel with both bat and ball might have seen this side make it to the playoff stages.

R Vinay Kumar (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Vinay Kumar was bought at the auctions for ₹1 crore and was expected to be the leader of the young bowling attack of the Kolkata Knight Riders in Mitchell Starc's injury absence.

However, Vinay was simply awful as he played just two matches, picking up just two wickets. His economy rate was a horrific 16.96 and he almost single-handedly cost his side the game against Chennai Super Kings when he bowled a terrible final over, which included a beamer that went for a six.

Vinay Kumar was subsequently dropped in favour of uncapped Indian pacers Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna.

Mohammed Shami (Delhi Daredevils)

Delhi Daredevils used the Right to Match to avail Mohammed Shami's services for this season. The fast-bowler is one of India's best Test bowlers with his accuracy and skiddy nature difficult to deal with.

On his day, he's capable of running through a side single-handedly with his reverse swing bowling. He was also India's best bowler in the 2015 World Cup. However, Shami's progress has been hampered by the cycle of injuries suffered over the past few years.

Shami has surprisingly failed to step up in IPL tournaments, with his performances nowhere as good as his showings in Indian colours. With South African speedster Kagiso Rabada ruled out for the season, the onus was on Shami to lead the Delhi attack. Shami though turned in listless performances as was hammered to all parts whenever he came on to bowl.

Across 14 overs in 4 matches, he managed to pick up just 3 wickets. He's also conceded runs at an extremely expensive economy rate of 10.40; most certainly not the numbers expected from your strike bowler.

Delhi Daredevils tried alternatives in place of Shami in the previous two matches but none of them proved to be any better. Despite that, Shami was consigned to the bench, a shock for a bowler of Shami's quality.

Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals)

Prior to the auctions, few would have expected Unadkat to be the costliest Indian player in the auction despite the fabulous season he had with Rising Pune Supergiant last year.

However, the non-availability of quality left-arm pacers meant that his value soared over the roof and he was ultimately bought for ₹11.5 crore by Rajasthan Royals. Underwhelming performances in the Nidahas Trophy only added to the pressure along with his heavy price tag.

The Saurashtra pacer was expected to lead the pace attack, but it bowling has lacked penetration and the batsmen have found it very easy to deal with his variations as they haven't been threatening enough.

He's been down on pace and his slower balls and cutters haven't worked for him either. Having played all 15 matches for his side, he only picked up 11 wickets at a poor economy rate of 9.66.

He has been a major disappointment this season and looks a pale shadow of the bowler he was last year. Buying Unadkat for such an expensive price has ended up being a 'costly' mistake by the Rajasthan Royals.

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