IPL 2021: Flop XI Of The League Stage

IPL 2021: Flop XI Of The League Stage. The league stage of IPL 2021 is done and dusted and the tournament is all set to stage the knockouts, starting with the Qualifier 1 between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals on Sunday.

Due to COVID-19 cases emerging in different bio-bubbles, the league stage matches had to be staged in two different halves. The fans, this season, have witnessed everything from gigantic sixes to a sensational hat-trick, from incredible five-wicket hauls to some heart-warming centuries.

Amidst all that, the league stage also had its fair share of poor performances as well. Some world-class players didn’t live up to their billing. Along with sensational performances with the bat, the fans also witnessed poor performances from notable talents. On that note, we look at the Flop XI of the league stage.

IPL 2021: Flop XI Of The League Stage

Chris Gayle

There is no denying the fact that the Universal Boss, Chris Gayle is past his prime. His reflexes aren’t the same anymore. Gayle struggled against the real pace and was found wanting against bouncers at shoulder height.

This year, the fans couldn’t witness the entertainment from the Universal Boss and might not see that again in the Indian Premier League. He played 10 matches for Punjab Kings and managed to score only 193 runs at an average of 21.44.

Gayle will be representing West Indies in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and chances are high that he might call retirement after that.

David Warner

It was disappointing to see one of the most consistent run-getters in IPL, David Warner, not producing runs in the tournament. Warner endured the worst season with the bat this year, having managed only 195 runs in 8 matches at an average of 24.37.

After a string of poor performances in the first leg, Warner was even dropped from the playing XI and also handed over the captaincy duties to Kane Williamson. Though, the franchise made no improvement under the new leader. Warner played a couple of matches in the second leg of the competition. He scored 0 and 2 and didn’t play a single game thereafter.

Sunrisers Hyderabad finished at the bottom of the table this year, having managed only 3 wins in 14 matches.

Suresh Raina

After leaving the bio-bubble during last year’s edition, Suresh Raina made a comeback for CSK in IPL 2021. Raina had batted at number four this season and looked vulnerable against bouncers. The bowlers have consistently targeted his head with short-pitched deliveries only to leave him completely out of sorts.

Raina has endured a forgettable season thus far in the tournament. He hasn’t played the last two games for the franchise due to an injury. It remains to be seen if he will be included in the playing XI for the important game against Delhi Capitals. Raina has scored 160 runs in 12 matches in IPL 2021 at an average of 17.17.

Eoin Morgan

The skipper of KKR, Eoin Morgan has been one of the biggest flops in IPL 2021. He has struggled to bat on the slow and sluggish tracks of the UAE. The bowlers have consistently targeted him with slow balls and cutters.

Though, the other batsmen in KKR’s batting unit have fared quite well in the second leg of IPL 2021 and, as a result of that, KKR have managed to reach the playoffs. The franchise would be hoping that skipper come back into form ahead of an important encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday.

Eoin Morgan has scored 124 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2021 at an average of 23.26.

Hardik Pandya

It is disappointing to see an important player like Hardik Pandya struggling from an Indian Cricket Team’s fan point of view as the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is just around the corner. Hardik Pandya didn’t bowl a single ball in the second leg of IPL 2021. With the bat, he made forgettable numbers, having managed only 127 runs in 12 matches at an average of 27.33.

Hardik Pandya struggled to time the ball well and meet the full face of the bat too often. With the T20 World Cup coming up, this is definitely a big worry for the Indian Cricket Team.

MS Dhoni

For a second consecutive season, MS Dhoni has failed to make an impact with the bat. His struggles against spin isn’t an unknown fact anymore and the opposition doesn’t wait too long to apply spin once the CSK skipper comes on to bat.

In 14 matches, he has only managed to score 96 runs at an average of 13.71. CSK’s middle-order woes were on display in the last couple of matches. Chennai Super Kings will be playing an important game against Delhi on Sunday. The fans would expect MS Dhoni to bring back memories of the past. However, given his struggles against spin, chances are highly unlikely.

Kieron Pollard

A Vital cog in Mumbai Indians’ batting unit, Kieron Pollard hasn’t really lived up to his billing either. Pollard played a couple of impactful knocks with the bat but other than that, there wasn’t much to draw inspiration from.

Mumbai Indians struggled to hit the straps this year and Pollard’s poor form with the bat was one of the biggest reasons behind that. In 14 matches, he scored 245 runs in IPL 2021 at an average of 29.98.

Krunal Pandya

There is no denying that Krunal Pandya has been one of the most consistent performers for MI in IPL. The all-rounder has been a major contributor with both bat and ball, over the years. However, he hasn’t replicated those performances this year.

Pandya has failed to score runs down the order and didn’t make an impact with the ball either. In 13 matches, he has only managed to score 143 runs and pick 5 wickets with the ball.

Ravi Ashwin

Delhi’s spinner, Ravi Ashwin has found a place in India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2021 but his recent form doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. Ashwin hasn’t managed to make a lot of impact with the ball and Delhi haven’t really used him enough against right-handed batsmen.

In 11 matches, all Ashwin managed is 5 wickets at an average of 14.66.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has lost some pace and isn’t finding a lot of swing on the slow tracks of the UAE. These are obviously not good signs, given the fact that he is an integral member of India’s pace attack for the T20 World Cup 2021.

The 31-year old has conceded runs at an economy of close to 8 but only managed to pick 6 wickets in 11 matches. His underwhelming performances had a severe effect on Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. Bhuvneshwar Kumar would be hoping that he gets his rhythm back ahead of the all-important T20 World Cup 2021.

Khaleel Ahmed

Another SRH pacer, Khaleel Ahmed was also one of the biggest flops in this year’s IPL. He couldn’t hit the right lengths and, as a result of that, was belted for a lot of runs.

In 7 matches, he only managed to pick 5 wickets and conceded runs at an economy of 8.11. Khaleel Ahmed should complete our Flop XI of the league stage of IPL 2021.