With very limited time to go for the IPL 2020 auction let’s have a look at the players that could be easily released by the franchises.
Kedar Jadhav – Chennai Super Kings
With the balanced team, Chennai Super Kings boast of retaining Kedar Jadhav doesn’t make much sense. He has been a bit inconsistent and injury prone as well. Moreover, he only scored 162 runs in 14 matches at an average of 18 last time. So he does not have a much to contribute to the franchise’s IPL campaign.
Axar Patel – Delhi Capitals
Axar Patel was a key player during Kings XI Punjab’s 2014 campaign and helped them reach the finale. But in the last few seasons, he has not been much fruitful. In the last two editions, he could only manage to get three and ten wickets at averages of 72.67 and 36.40 respectively. The presence of Sandeep Lamichhane, Ravi Ashwin, and Amit Mishra is enough to provide a full-proof spin-attack to Delhi.
Hardus Viljoen – Kings XI Punjab
Hardus Viljoen played six matches to get seven wickets at an average of 30.71 in the previous season. His contributions to the team did not help the franchise much. Since the 30-year-old cricketer’s presence does not add enough value anymore, Punjab could have released him. A better, younger, and cheaper replacement would have been a good move.
Rinku Singh – Kolkata Knight Riders
Rinku Singh, a famous name in domestic circuit failed to prove his mettle in the league. His strike rate in T20 cricket other than IPL is over 135 but he could not score big in the limited opportunities he got in the IPL. In the last two seasons, he could score only 66 runs at a strike rate of around 100. While the franchise did not think before releasing Robin Uthappa, retaining Rinku Singh does not seem to be a good strategy.
Mitchell McClenaghan – Mumbai Indians
Mitchell McClenaghan has been with the Mumbai Indians since the time he started playing in the IPL. But his last outing was awful as he had only three wickets to his name in five matches at an average of 47. With the pace options available to Mumbai – from Lasith Malinga to Jasprit Bumrah, McClenaghan may find it hard to make to the playing eleven.
Varun Aaron – Rajasthan Royals
Varun Aaron was another emerging player during the 2014 IPL. The 30-year-old had difficulties with the ball in the last edition and he could manage only five wickets in four matches. The age is also not on his side anymore. At this stage, opting for some young faces to partner with Jofra Archer would have been better for the Royals.
Mohammed Siraj – Royal Challengers Bangalore
Mohammed Siraj can have great first-class records but he certainly disappointed the Bangalore fans in last two seasons of IPL. He took only 18 wickets in last two seasons maintaining an average above 30. The franchise is in a mood of revamping. Amid all the changes and modifications, Siraj does not fit in the combination anymore as he was a part of the bowling unit that continuously failed.
Khaleel Ahmed – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Khaleel Ahmed has recently attracted a lot of criticism during India’s T20I series against Bangladesh, He has taken only two wickets at an average of 54. With the promise he came to the league does not seem to be there anymore. Hyderabad already has players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Billy Stanlake, and Basil Thampi and there is a very rare chance of Ahmed getting any game.
