5 players who, despite joining a team in IPL, never became a part of its playing XI

 

The best players have always got a chance to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In this league, along with the game of cricket, there is also an opportunity to earn a huge amount of money. Players often get huge amounts of money in the auction, which they might not have even imagined. We see some surprising moves in every IPL auction. All-rounder Sam Curran becoming the most expensive player in auction history in the auction held at the end of 2022 was also one of them.

In IPL, teams try to include the best players in their squad. Apart from local and foreign players, teams also give opportunity to many uncapped players in the squad. Although every player included in the squad will get a chance to play in the playing XI, it is not certain.

We have seen many times that in the tournament, many veteran players have to remain on the bench for the entire season and do not get a chance to play even a single match. In this article, we are going to mention 5 such players, who despite being part of the teams' squads, were not seen in the playing XI.

These 5 players, despite joining the IPL team, never became a part of its playing XI.

#5 Nicholas Pooran (Mumbai Indians)

Nicholas Pooran is currently included among the best players in the T20 format. Very few people would know about Puran, who made his debut for Punjab Kings in IPL 2019, that this player got a chance to be a part of Mumbai Indians in 2017. However, it is not easy to get a chance to play a match in the Mumbai Indians team and the same happened with Puran. Mumbai, which won the title in 2017, did not give Puran a chance in a single match and later released him.

#4 Steve Smith (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Present day legendary batsman Steve Smith and Virat Kohli were part of the same dressing room in the IPL in 2010. However, at that time Smith was recognized as a bowling all-rounder. Whereas Virat Kohli was counted among the talented batsmen. Smith was a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2010 but due to the presence of foreign players like Steyn and Kallis in the team, he did not get a chance in a single match.

#3 Justin Langer (Rajasthan Royals)

Former Australian player Justin Langer was considered a Test specialist during his career. Langer was seen playing mostly in the Test format for Australia. This batsman was a part of the Rajasthan Royals squad in the first season of IPL. However, due to explosive players like Shane Watson and Kamran Akmal in the team, this batsman did not get a chance to play in even a single match.

#2 Brendan Taylor (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Brendan Taylor was considered one of Zimbabwe's best batsmen. This player did excellent work for his national team with his batting and wicket-keeping. Very few of you would know that in 2014, Brendan Taylor was a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team. Taylor did not get a chance in a single match that season because of team captain Darren Sammy, foreign players like David Warner and Aaron Finch.

#1 Josh Hazlewood (Mumbai Indians)

Josh Hazlewood is one of the best fast bowlers of Australia. Hazlewood is known for his swing and ability to bowl a precise line. This bowler was a part of the Mumbai Indians squad in IPL 2014. Hazlewood was not played in a single match due to the presence of Lasith Malinga and Merchant de Lange in the team.