There will be a mini-auction before 2021 season of the IPL and these players may not find any takers because of their below-par performances in 2020
It's been just two months since the completion of the recent season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the squad changes through retentions, releases and a new auction is upon us. While Mumbai Indians was the best team throughout the competition and played like champions. Mumbai had a strong group of players, who consistently starred for them and put their hands up whenever the team needed them.
And, many other players who made a name for themselves like KL Rahul, who top scored in the 60-game tournament with 670 runs or Kagiso Rabada with 30 wickets, Jofra Archer, who was named the MVP of the tournament or Rahul Tewatia, who proved to be the surprise package of the tournament, or younsters like Ravi Bishnoi or Arshdeep Singh, who made a mark in a tournament studded with star players.
However, there were some other players, who didn't have a great tournament and let their sides down. With below-par performances, they were not able to make the XI more often than not and whenever they got a chance, they failed to perform upto the desired level and might find no one raising the auction bats for them for the 2021 season of the IPL.
1. Kedar Jadhav
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Kedar Jadhav, who appeared for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2020 had a poor season as far as run-scoring was concerned. The 35-year old featured in 8 matches for the men in yellow and scored just 62 runs. He averaged 20 in those eight games and batted at a strike rate of 93, less than 100 in a T20 game. Jadhav was criticised by many for his inability to score quick runs and make some useful contributions. (Image: BCCI/IPL)
2. Murali Vijay
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Another senior batsman from CSK, Murali Vijay too, might not find any takers at the new auction because of his low returns in the last season. Being with the Chennai side for the last three seasons, Vijay played only three games in 2018 and 2019 but it was expected that he would get more game in the 2020 season in the absence of Suresh Raina.
However, Vijay was unable to make those opportunities count as in the three games, he scored just 32 runs at an average of 10.66, striking at just 74. The 36-year old's poor performances might see him not playing the next IPL season. (Image: BCCI/IPL)
3. Umesh Yadav
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The Vidharba fast bowler Umesh Yadav's IPL performances haven't been consistent and good enough to boast of. The 33-year old had an outstanding 2018 season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), when he took 20 wickets in the season and was one of the highest wicket-takers for the Virat Kohli-led side. But, in the last two seasons, Umesh has proved to be expensive as he has given runs at 9.8 and 11.85 respectively.
Umesh played just two games in the 2020 season and couldn't get any wickets and gave runs at a high rate. His reduced number of wickets and rising economy rate might result in him not getting picked by any of the sides.
4. Jaydev Unadkat
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While the left-arm pacer has been in great red-ball form in the last couple of seasons for Saurashtra, his form with the white ball has been off colour, especially in the IPL. Playing for the same franchise -- Rajasthan Royals -- in all three seasons after getting picked in the auction in all three years after being released, Unadkat hasn't returned with the desired figures for the men in pink.
In the three seasons, Unadkat has taken 25 wickets in total and has given away runs at 10 runs per over across the seasons. In the latest one, Unadkat played in just 7 matches and took just four wickets, while averaging 57 and giving away runs at 9.91. His poor form with the ball in the IPL might force the owners to decide against him in the upcoming auction. (Image: BCCI/IPL)
5. Piyush Chawla
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Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who was picked at a whopping price at the 2019 auction for the 2020 IPL season by the Chennai Super Kings, had a below-par season with the ball, which is why he didn't even play the full number of league matches for the side. In 7 matches, Chawla took just 6 wickets and was unable to stem the run-flow which CSK spinners are famous for.
Chawla went for runs at 9 in an over and avergaed 31.83 with the ball. CSK who are most likely to renew almost half of their squad would most likely release the 32-year old and the wily experienced leg-spinner might fail to make any team in the upcoming auction. (Image: BCCI/IPL)
