It has been three weeks since the Indian Premier League (IPL) commenced and we have witnessed some major upsets from overseas hotshots who were vouched by their respective franchises with respect to their expense at the mega auction earlier this year. The 15th edition of IPL promises to be more exciting than before as two new teams entered the arena with squads made from scratch. With a level playing field for all the ten teams, every team has lost at least one game.
Five-time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI) are yet to find their winning ways whereas Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finally got one win under their hat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) this week. This season has been pretty much dominated by Indian and overseas youngsters while the stalwarts are yet to find their rhythm. On that note, let’s take a look at the overseas XI for the third week of the tournament.
Flop Overseas XI from the third week of IPL 2022
1. Mathew Wade (GT)
Matthew Wade, believed to be an attacking opening batsman from Australia, has an average of less than 15 till now. While the strike rate is over 100, consistency remains a problem for him. Wade was considered to be a worthy buy as he comes in with his proficient wicket-keeping skills.
Gujarat Titans bought him for INR 2.4 crore, which is yet to be justified by the player. With only one loss in the tournament, Gujarat can turn to another opening pair to prepare for the rest of the tournament. Wriddhiman Saha is waiting for a game and is a great alternative as a wicketkeeper. He has the potential to hit some extra runs in the powerplay.
Wade will have to up the ante soon and improve his performances before time runs out for him. GT should be credited for having patience with him so far and the time has come for the left-hander to deliver.
2. Jonny Bairstow (C) (PBKS)
Jonny Bairstow who has the ability to fire in the powerplay has been very calm till the third week of the tournament. Playing for Punjab Kings this season, Bairstow has a major responsibility to finally get his team over the line this season. Although the British stalwart has only batted in two innings, his strike rate reads 95.24, which is concerning to the franchisee who bought him for INR 6.75 crores.
He has the potential to hit the ball out of the park whenever he wants and he will, given he spends some more time on-field. The 32-year-old has scored consistently well in the past three IPL editions and is believed to continue the form. Overall, the English cricketer has amassed 1059 runs in 30 matches at an average of 39.19.
Punjab will hope Bairstow fires all cylinders and provides good starts at the top in the upcoming games as the competition approaches its business end. They have always managed to take a defeat out of a well-woven victory. The side defeated Mumbai Indians by 12 runs that too again in the last over.
3. Moeen Ali (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings has constantly believed in Moeen Ali’s ability to produce runs at top of the order. Other than his 48 off 35 against SRH, he has not contributed enough with power hitting. Being a prolific spinner, he is yet to get some wickets out of the opponent’s ward.
Moeen went wicketless in all the four games he played and has an economy of 8.5. To get to the real winning ways, Moeen Ali has to start performing better with the ball as CSK has failed to get regular breakthroughs this season. With only one win for the four-time champions, CSK is at the ninth position on the points table with a net run rate of -0.745.
The veteran English all-rounder, who played an integral part in CSK’s title-winning campaign in 2021, is expected to set the stage on fire as Chennai look to continue the winning run if they want to keep themselves alive for the playoff race.
4. Sam Billings (WK) (KKR)
Sam Billings, a new addition to Kolkata Knight Riders this season, is yet to perform to his full potential. A great alternative as a wicketkeeper-batsman, he has to put up a show with his bat to stay in the playing eleven. His alternative Sheldon Jackson has performed better comparatively and thus became a reason to drop the former in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
With an average of 23 in his five innings this season, he has not contributed enough with the bat. The English cricketer has struggled for consistency in his previous teams as well. Despite being immensely talented, Billings has managed to muster only 429 runs in 27 at a paltry average of below 20.
The 30-year-old wicket-keeper batter will long for a couple of more opportunities in the upcoming games to prove his potential and justify the INR 2 crore price tag.
5. Kieron Pollard (MI)
The heavyweight from West Indies has been one of the most dependable finishers for Mumbai Indians. His reputation for power-hitting has made bowlers run for their life across editions of IPL. However, Kieron Pollard, who was retained by the franchise for INR 6 crore, is yet to turn into a big show for his side this season so far.
As Mumbai remain winless this season, it becomes necessary for him to fire. With an average of only 16.40, he has struggled to get his timing right this season. On the bowling front, the giant Trinidadian has managed to pick up only one wicket and has shelled runs at an economy of 10 runs per over.
A struggling Mumbai will want Pollard to come out all guns blazing and take the side over the line as the five-time IPL champions look to keep themselves for the playoffs.
6. Rassie van der Dussen (RR)
Rassie van der Dussen didn’t had an emphatic start to his IPL career. This South African right-hand batsman was believed to deliver, strengthening the middle order for Rajasthan Royals. However, Rassie has managed to score only 10 runs in the two games he has played so far.
There is a lot left to prove in this two-month-long tournament for the debutant. But, he has to deliver fast as the bench strength of Rajasthan seems to be overpowering this debutant’s potential. Rajasthan is already looking good as a side with Jos Buttler carrying the Orange Cap around.
The 33-year-old cricketer possesses great potential and will be keen to make his debut IPL memorable. As the playoff race gets intense, Rassie van der Dussen will hope to live up to the expectations.
7. Dushmantha Chameera (LSG)
Another debutant for Lucknow Super Giants Dusmantha Chameera comes in on the back of a great season for his national side Srilanka. However, he has failed to replicate the same in IPL 2022. The right-arm fast bowler has picked up only three wickets in four matches he played.
However, his economy of 9.40 runs per over seems a bit concerning as the Sri Lankan has conceded plenty of runs. With the competition getting intense, he has to keep bowling at the right line and length to retain his place in the playing XI.
However, the 30-year-old boasts better records in the shortest format. Chameera will hope to play to his potential and provide Lucknow with early wickets alongside Avesh Khan.
8. Rovman Powell (DC)
Rovman Powell was supposed to be an all-round addition to the side of the Delhi Capitals this season. This 28-year-old Jamaican garnered his way to IPL by being bought by Delhi for INR 2 crores. The right-arm fast bowler has bowled only once in the four matches he played. That one over went for 17 runs.
With more belief in his finishing abilities, he batted with an average of 6.20 so far with a strike rate of exactly 100. Delhi have pinned a lot of hopes on the big West Indian all-rounder but Powell is yet to score big and give that extra push to his side.
With Rishabh Pant and Co. struggling with their batting, time might be running out for Powell. He needs to fire all cylinders with both bat and ball if he hopes to retain his berth in the playing XI.
9. Chris Jordan (CSK)
Veteran England all-rounder Jordan is well known for his wicket-taking abilities. However, the T20 freelancer has just not shown enough bit this season in the IPL. Playing for the first time for Chennai Super Kings, Jordan is still trying to find the right length against young guns.
With only two wickets in three games, Chris Jordan gave out runs with an economy of 9.06 runs per over. With Deepak Chahar ruled out of the competition, the veteran cricketer needs to assume more responsibilities now. The absence of Chahar will hurt the side if Jordan does not step up in taking wickets in the first powerplay.
The English cricketer also has a good reputation for his ability to play the long handle. However, he has also fallen flat with the bat this season. Jordan needs to come out all guns blazing as CSK look to keep the winning run going after four defeats to start the season.
10. Josh Hazelwood (RCB)
Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Josh Hazlewood played his first match this season against Chennai Super Kings. However, RCB ended on the losing side, going down by 23 runs and handing CSK their first win of the season. In his first match itself, he managed to shelve one wicket, getting Ruturaj LBW out at 17 runs.
Although, he went on giving 33 runs in his spell of four overs as Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa ran a carnage, hitting everything out of the park. RCB has been decent as a team till the third week. Josh Hazelwood was bought for a whopping INR 7.75 crores this season.
However, it’s still early days for Hazlewood in this year’s competition and given his immense experience Hazlewood knows how to bounce back. He had a superb campaign last year with 11 wickets in nine matches, playing an integral role in CSK’s title-winning campaign.
11. Tymal Mills (MI)
The veteran left-arm pacer from England has bagged wickets but has failed to stop batters from scoring big against him. Tymal Mills, who is plying trade for Mumbai Indians this season, has scalped six wickets in four matches this season so far. He has failed to live up to the expectations of the franchise, who brought him as Trent Boult’s replacement.
Mills has conceded 25+ runs in all the five matches he has played in the season so far. Hence, Mumbai have struggled to pick wickets in the powerplay which has hurt them badly in the campaign so far. His best of 3/35 came against Rajasthan Royals but since then, his easily readable deliveries are not helping the side in defending totals.
The 29-year-old left-arm pacer needs to hit the strides soon if he wants to retain his place in the playing XI given that Riley Meredith has been waiting in the wings for an opportunity.
Written by Nishtha Gupta
from CricTracker https://ift.tt/hBI9sFa
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