Exploring the surprising slumps of cricket's finest in the season of unpredictability!
The IPL 2024 season has been a thrilling rollercoaster ride, with young guns like Mayank Yadav and Fraser-McGurk stealing the limelight and established veterans like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah showcasing their enduring class. However, amidst the flurry of sixes and audacious batting displays, some big names haven't quite fired on all cylinders.
Here, we take a closer look at five star batters who've fallen short of expectations in this high-octane tournament. It's important to note that while these players haven't necessarily been complete failures, their performances haven't met the lofty standards they've set for themselves and the teams they represent.
The pressure of the IPL, coupled with the demands of the shorter format, can sometimes expose even the most well-established cricketers, and this year's edition has been no exception.
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Indian skipper can’t find his rhythm so far
Rohit Sharma, the indomitable batsman and India's designated T20 World Cup captain, has been a major source of concern for the Mumbai Indians. The "Hitman," known for his explosive strokeplay, has been uncharacteristically subdued this season. Despite a ton, in 12 matches, he's managed a meagre 330 runs with an average of just 30.00. While his leadership qualities remain unquestioned, his batting form raises a red flag just months ahead of the World Cup.
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Maxi took a break from IPL but he comes back
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pinned their hopes on Glenn Maxwell's explosive middle-order batting to bolster their campaign. Unfortunately, the Australian all-rounder has been a pale shadow of his usual self. Maxwell's struggles were evident in his paltry score of 36 runs across eight matches, with a pedestrian strike rate of 97.30. This underwhelming performance ultimately led to his being dropped from the playing XI, a harsh reality for a player of his calibre.
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The poor form dropped him from T20 WC
While Ishan Kishan hasn't been a complete flop for the Mumbai Indians, his strike rate leaves a lot to be desired. The left-hander has amassed 266 runs in 12 matches, but his strike rate of 149.44 falls short in the fast-paced T20 format. In a game where quick runs are paramount, Kishan's cautious approach hasn't quite clicked, leaving Mumbai searching for more firepower at the top of the order.
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Jinks has left his gold days back
Ajinkya Rahane entered IPL 2024 with hopes of rediscovering his lost touch. However, his struggles at the crease persist. Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rahane has managed a meagre 208 runs in 11 matches, with a strike rate of a mere 123.08. His inability to accelerate and rotate the strike has put immense pressure on the other KKR batsmen, hindering their overall batting performance.
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Markram in team hotel
Aiden Markram's IPL 2024 campaign has been a tale of two halves. After being removed from the Sunrisers Hyderabad captaincy, his batting form also seems to have taken a hit. Markram has scored only 199 runs in nine matches, with a strike rate of 130.92. Whether the loss of captaincy affected his batting confidence remains unclear, but Sunrisers Hyderabad are certainly missing the spark Markram brought to the crease earlier in the season.
These seasoned batsmen have the potential to turn the tide, but time is running out. With the playoffs looming large, they'll need to dig deep, find their rhythm, and deliver match-winning performances if their respective teams are to have any hope of lifting the IPL 2024 trophy.
