IPL 2021: Three Overseas Players who are too good to warm the benches
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The 14th edition of the Vivo IPL 2021 has already produced some thrillers and nail-biting contests. We have seen numerous world-class shows displayed by the players. Exceptional results have been orchestrated by the best cricketing talent in the world during the ongoing tournament.
Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed some high-quality cricket as the best players from around the world clash in the world’s greatest T20 competition.
There are players with big cricketing names who have not been able to make it to their respective teams starting XI.
Even if you are a top international player, the IPL’s nature is such that you may find yourself on the bench due to the team combination and the fact that only four overseas players are allowed. Here are the top three international players who are too good to warm the benches.
Kane Williamson
The captain of New Zealand and one of the modern-day greats Kane Williamson is warming the benches for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is one of the most versatile players to play the sport and still is not finding a place in the XI. He bats at No.4 for SRH and has played significant knocks for them in the past. In the absence of Warner, Williamson captained SRH in 2018.
That season, the New Zealander put in some outstanding batting performances, scoring 735 runs at an average of 52.50 and a strike rate of 142.44 in 17 matches taking SRH to the finals. Williamson was initially left out of the IPL 2020 season, but he went on to play 12 matches for SRH, scoring 317 runs at an average of 45.28 and a strike rate of 133.75.
Sunrisers have now lost their first two matches due to a poor performance displayed by the middle order. They badly need Williamson there to take them out of the trouble.
Steve Smith
Another modern-day legend and a superstar from Australia, Steve Smith has also found himself out of the playing XI. He was the captain of Rajasthan Royals last season, but now he has been roped in by Delhi Capitals for the 2021 season. Although, Smith had a poor season last time he does not deserve to be warming the bench.
He has scored 2333 runs so far in the IPL with a decent strike rate of 130. He can play a crucial role when the openers are dismissed early. Delhi would have wanted the services of Smith in the last game where their top three were sent back to the pavilion cheaply.
Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine has been a core part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the last 9 years. He was referred to as a mystery spinner by various experts. He played a major role in Kolkata’s dual IPL titles. He started delivering with the bat too when promoted as an opener, but a poor run in the last season has seen Sunil Narine out of the playing XI.
Narine only managed to score 121 runs in ten matches at a poor average of 13.44. On the bowling front too, he got only five wickets in ten matches. Shakib Al Hasan has replaced him as a spin-bowling all-rounder this season.
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Mohamed Azhar
(370 Articles Published)