The 2018 edition of the IPL is well past its half-way mark with the league table shaping up nicely. This IPL has been like no other with almost every second game going right down to the wire.
There have been countless breathtaking performances from both Indian and overseas players as the race for the playoffs enters a crucial stage. While many players have grabbed eyeballs by punching above their weight, there have been some who have simply failed to justify their high price tags.
Here, we take a look at five overseas players who have been the biggest duds so far this year.
D’ARCY SHORT (RAJASTHAN ROYALS)
The Australian batsman came into the IPL on the back of burgeoning reputation in T20 cricket which saw him break the Big Bash League (BBL) record for the most runs scored in a single edition.
It has not gone to plan for Short in the IPL who has woefully been exposed by spin, with 111 runs in six innings a poor return given that 88 of them came in two knocks.
Short’s vulnerability against spin has been horribly exposed.
AARON FINCH (KINGS XI PUNJAB)
The Australian limited-overs stalwart came into the IPL after just having recently tied the knot but it has been no honeymoon.
He started off with two ducks and a return of 24 runs in five innings has seen Finch displaced from the playing XI. The Aussie’s struggles are the all the more baffling given that he was in the middle of a fine purple patch before the start of the competition.
Finch has simply not arrived. Image: IPL/Twitter.
KIERON POLLARD (MUMBAI INDIANS)
The Caribbean all-rounder has been a stalwart for Mumbai over the years, but he’s been nothing more than a liability this season.
He has scored only 68 runs in six innings while his bowling has been deemed surplus to requirements by skipper Rohit Sharma. This has seen Pollard’s run of 33 consecutive games for Mumbai come to an end with Ben Cutting replacing him in the line-up.
Pollard has been a liability for Mumbai.
GLENN MAXWELL (DELHI DAREDEVILS)
The third Aussie in the list, Maxwell has had a miserable time in Delhi. As frustrating a batsman as he might be, Maxwell has just not done any justice to his talents with some shocking dismissals.
Bar one knock of 47, he has looked at sea in the IPL. The Australian has chipped in with five wickets with the ball but has only managed 133 runs in nine innings with the bat.
Maxwell has cut a frustrating figure in the middle.
BEN STOKES (RAJASTHAN ROYALS)
The most expensive overseas recruit has failed to deliver the goods with both bat and ball. The English all-rounder has looked a shadow of his former self having scored just 155 runs in eight innings while picking up just two wickets with the ball.
Stokes‘ flop show coupled with Short’s has been the biggest reason for Royal’s abysmal showing. He has not bowled his quota of four overs even once.
Stokes has been the biggest flop. Image: RR/Twitter.
