IPL 2020: Bench Warmers XI Of The Tournament

It is no pleasure for a player from an IPL franchise to warm the bench throughout the tournament. To carry drinks and towels to the cricketers on the ground battling it out for their team could indeed be frustrating. The settled combination of any team is the single most significant factor for forcing them to stay in the bench throughout the edition.

In IPL 2020, there were several players across franchises as well who were unfortunate not to get a single match. While a handful of them were indeed worthy cricketers, having proved their mettle in the past; however, the management not wanting to disturb the combination did not go in their favour. Nevertheless, it underlined their rich reserves within the team.

We take a look at the best benched XI of IPL 2020:

Siddhesh Lad – Kolkata Knight Riders:

Siddhesh Lad is a highly talented batsman, belonging to Kolkata Knight Riders, and having an enriching first-class record. Siddhesh Lad averages a healthy 40.58 and 43.23 in first-class and List A cricket respectively. And being part of Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders so far, the 28-year old has played only one IPL game in its history. The defending champions’, who had highly accomplished Indian batsmen in their ranks, could not accommodate him in their line-up.

Chris Lynn – Mumbai Indians:

Chris Lynn was yet another batsman from Mumbai Indians, who has a burgeoning IPL record but could not find a spot. Despite scoring 432 runs in the 12th edition, Kolkata Knight Riders released Lynn and the defending champions seized the opportunity. Keeper-batsman Quinton De Kock did struggle in the initial part of the tournament and there were talks of Lynn getting a game. However, the South African regained form and kept going from strength to strength.

Manan Vohra – Rajasthan Royals:

Manan Vohra might not have glorious numbers in IPL; however, is a highly promising player. Manan Vohra, who was part of Rajasthan Royals, enjoyed his best season in 2014, being part of Kings XI Punjab. The right-handed batsman hammered 324 runs in eight matches at 40.50 with a strike rate of 139.06. With Robin Uthappa not impressing this year as an opener, the Royals might most likely allow the 27-year old to perform the role.

David Miller – Rajasthan Royals:

David Miller, who was part of Rajasthan Royals, was probably the most unlucky cricketer in IPL 2020. David Miller suffered a diamond duck in the first game of Rajasthan Royals against the Chennai Super Kings. With Jos Buttler coming in the next match, the South African batsman had to make way for him.

In the later stages of the tournament, the gun all-rounder Ben Stokes also joined the squad as Tom Curran paved the way. Miller merely played as a substitute fielder and never in the playing eleven after the opening fixture. While the southpaw did not have the best of outings in the previous seasons, he remains a talented player and a sweet striker of the ball.

Parthiv Patel (c&wk) – Royal Challengers Bangalore:

A successful season from Devdutt Padikkal might have probably shut the doors on Parthiv Patel. Parthiv Patel has played for as many as six franchises in the extravaganza and is an attacking opening batsman. The southpaw accumulated 373 runs in 14 matches in 2019 with a strike rate of 139.18; however, did not play a single game in 2020.

Pawan Negi -Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Pawan Negi was once labelled a gun all-rounder for his all-round skills. While Pawan Negi could not touch the heights as expected, he remains a handy cricketer and is particularly a brilliant fielder. The left-arm spinner produced three wickets in seven matches in 2019; however, managed only nine runs. With Washington Sundar finding enormous success in IPL 2020, the management did not see the importance of bringing in Pawan Negi.

Keemo Paul – Delhi Capitals:

Delhi Capitals’ all-rounder Keemo Paul was impressive with the ball in 2019, bagging nine wickets in eight matches at 26.33. Keemo Paul has an ample number of variations in his repertoire, which are capable of outfoxing the batsmen. The West Indian is also a powerful striker of the ball. However, he was unfortunate not to get a game in IPL 2020. With Delhi Capitals having a potent group of foreign recruits, the management could not slot him.

Mitchell McClenaghan – Mumbai Indians:

Mumbai Indians’ seamer Mitchell McClenaghan played a critical role in the franchise’s triumph in 2015 and 2017, snaring 18 and 19 wickets respectively while bowling an economical spell in 2019. Nevertheless, it was baffling to see McClenaghan warming the bench throughout IPL 2020.

The left-arm seamer was part of a star-studded pace bowling unit that had Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, James Pattinson, and Nathan Coulter-Nile. While Boult and Bumrah were first-choice ones, the management rotated between Pattinson and Coulter-Nile. However, never did once the Kiwi paceman got a match.

Ishan Porel – Kings XI Punjab:

Ishan Porel was yet another highly unfortunate young player not to receive a game in IPL 2020. Kings XI Punjab bought him at his base price of INR 20 lakh only to bench him throughout the tournament. The 22-year old could hit speeds of over 140 quite frequently and bowl well at the death too.

Even when KXIP’s campaign was sinking and their death-bowling issue was a significant trouble, they stuck with Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Jordan. The names mentioned above did their best; however, Porel deserved an opportunity to showcase his skills.

Sandeep Lamichanne – Delhi Capitals:

Sandeep Lamichhane joined the Delhi-based franchise in 2018, playing nine matches and taking 13 wickets. Sandeep Lamichhane had a fruitful campaign with the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2020 edition of Caribbean Premier League before arriving in the UAE. The leggie picked up 12 wickets in 11 matches at 17.58 with an economy rate of 15.27.

However, the Delhi Capitals decided to bench him for the entire IPL 2020. The runners-up of IPL 2020 had the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, and Sandeep Dubey as part of their spin-bowling unit, doing credible jobs. On the other hand, the likes of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Marcus Stoinis had become nearly irreplaceable too.

R Sai Kishore – Chennai Super Kings:

R Sai Kishore was one of the only five players purchased by Chennai Super Kings in the auction ahead of IPL 2020. R Sai Kishore is an off-spinner, who ended up as the highest wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy of 2019. He picked up 20 wickets in 12 games at 10.40 with an economy rate of 4.63.

Nevertheless, the 24-year old did not get to wear the yellow jersey as the management had enough spin-bowling options in their armoury. The Super Kings had Piyush Chawla, Ravindra Jadeja, Karn Sharma, Imran Tahir, and Mitchell Santner in their repertoire. Nevertheless, MS Dhoni will most likely get him on the field next year.

Also Read: IPL 2020 Records 28% Surge In Viewership