IPL: 5 top players who never played a single match for Mumbai Indians

When you think of the Indian Premier League, the first thing that comes to mind is Mumbai Indians. They are the most successful IPL franchise, having lifted the coveted trophy four times.

Mumbai have been led by some great players over the years, including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma. Some other world-class players like Andrew Symonds, Martin Guptill and Lasith Malinga have had the good fortune of representing the franchise.

That said, there have been a few players that were unable to play a single game for the Mumbai-based franchise despite being a part of their squad. We take a look at five former Mumbai Indians players that did not play a single game for the team.

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5. Axar Patel

Axar Patel moved to Kings XI Punjab in 2014

Having played 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is since leaving Mumbai Indians, Axar Patel seems to have achieved more after leaving the franchise. While he really found his calling in IPL 2014 with the Kings XI Punjab where he won the Emerging Player award, it was at Mumbai that he began his IPL career - albeit without playing a match.

Axar was part of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2013 but did not manage to play a single game, mainly due to the presence of stalwarts Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha. Mumbai did not really need his services as they went on to win the title, beating Chennai Super Kings in the final.

4. Alex Hales

Alex Hales played

Alex Hales was roped into the Mumbai Indians squad as a replacement for Corey Anderson during the latter stages of IPL 2015. Hales was available for their final group match and the knockouts but his services were not required as Mumbai preferred West Indian Lendl Simmons at the top of the order.

Hales remained without a franchise for the next two editions of the IPL but made a return in 2018 when Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired him as a replacement for David Warner.

3. Colin Munro

Colin Munro was the first player to score 3 T20I centuries

Colin Munro, over the past couple of years, has established himself as one of the finest T20 batsmen in the world. He is the first player to score three T20I centuries.

Munro was brought in to the Mumbai Indians squad in IPL 2015 but did not feature in a single match in the tournament. Mumbai had the likes of Aaron Finch, Lendl Simmons and Corey Anderson in the side, so, understandably, Munro never got a look-in.

The hard-hitting batsman moved to KKR the following season and was picked as part of the Delhi Daredevils for IPL 2018.

2. Moises Henriques

Moises Henriques first played IPL in 2009

Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques made his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders way back in IPL 2009. He was then traded to Delhi Daredevils and subsequently Mumbai Indians where he remained on the sidelines for the entire duration of IPL 2011. The Aussie did not make a single appearance for the Sachin Tendulkar-led franchise.

Henriques was released by Mumbai Indians and has since represented Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, he remained unsold during the 2018 auctions, before being picked up by Kings XI Punjab the very next year.

1. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav was a part of the Mumbai squad back in 2012

Not even the most ardent of cricket fans would remember that Kuldeep Yadav was a part of the Mumbai Indians way back in 2012. However, he had to warm the benches for the entire season as he was overlooked for the whole campaign, with Pragyan Ojha serving as the lead spinner.

Mumbai would be regretting not making use of his potential as he has flourished ever since joining the Kolkata Knight Riders, even earning a spot in the national team courtesy some stunning performances.