IPL 2024: Five players who deserve to be benched for lifetime

In just three weeks the biggest cricketing extravaganza is set to begin. IPL 2024 is set to be a huge deal with some of the biggest players in the world set to be part of the event. This season could very well be the final time we witness MS Dhoni on the field of play. The 42-year-old is on the verge of retiring from the game at the end of the season. 

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Mumbai Indians have gone in for a huge upheaval with Hardik Pandya named as the skipper. The 30-year-old has replaced Rohit Sharma as the skipper amidst huge backlash from the MI fans. 

In this list though we are set to take a closer look at different lists. Here are the five IPL players who deserve to be benched for a lifetime 

5 – Jaydev Unadkat – 

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On paper, the stats that the 32-year-old has makes for a pretty reading. 94 games played and 91 wickets taken with two fifers. But his IPL performances have seen a sharp and steady decline. After being let go by Mumba Indians ahead of the 2023 season, Unadkat found a lifeline in Lucknow. 

After just a few games LSG decided to drop him as Unadkat was smashed for 27 runs from his 2 overs vs RCB. Despite all his red-ball heroics, Jaydev Unadkat is one IPL player who deserves to be benched for a lifetime. 

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4- Vijay Shankar – 

One of the many all-rounders tried during the Hardik Pandya injury phase, Vijay Shankar didn’t make it big for India. In the IPL the 33-year-old has played for four teams with 65 games in total from ten years. This makes Vijay Shankar one of the most prominent IPL players who deserves to be benched for a lifetime. 

With just 1032 runs with an average of 26 and a strike rate of 131, the records aren’t bad. The biggest flaw with Vijay Shankar is his inconsistency with the bat as he is way too slow to get off the blocks. Once in full flow, there is no better striker of the ball than Shankar but such performances are very far and few in between. 

3- Dinesh Karthik – 

After his career revival in 2022, Dinesh Karthik is a finished article in Indian Cricket. When he made his debut Dinesh Karthik was considered as the next big thing. After his 2023 performances, even the ardent RCB fans will agree he is one of the few IPL players who deserved to be benched for a lifetime. 

With age catching up and his commentary stint looking promising, maybe it is the right time for DK to pack it in. Having played 242 games, Karthik is one of the most capped players in the history of IPL. 

2- KS Bharat 

After impressing the selectors with his skills in domestic cricket, KS Bharat got his India call-up early last year. The 30-year-old though hasn’t shown the same talents in the biggest stages. 

Even his IPL career has seen Bharat play just 10 games with a solitary half-century. With Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, and Sanju Samson in the fray, KS Bharat may soon be a forgotten article. 

1- Sandeep Sharma – 

At the age of 24, Sandeep Sharma stunned the world when he netted the RCB big three, Kohli, Gayle, and AB De Villiers. Starting his career as a swing bowler, Sandeep Sharma saw his stocks grow. 

With each passing year though, the right-arm pacer has become an afterthought. Rajasthan Royals fans will look back with horror as Sandeep Sharma’s no-ball cost them a close game. With no swing on offer and a lack of pace, Sandeep Sharma is one of the prime IPL players who deserves to be benched for a lifetime.