Cricket is a team game and all the players in the starting XI need to operate as a collective force in an attempt to win the battle against the opponent. It is absolutely imperative for the team to field a strong playing XI in a bid to put up a great fight.
Case in point, it is quite obvious that the IPL teams would pick plenty of players at the auction. However, on match day, it is totally up to the team management to decide on a strong playing XI depending on which opponent they are playing against.
It is not that easy to sneak into the playing XI because, in reality, some players will be benched. Now in this listicle, we will learn about the two players who were benched for the entire league stage but were picked for playoffs by IPL teams.
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1. Darshan Nalkande
Gujarat Titans recruited the services of Darshal Nalkande for INR 20 lakh in the IPL 2023 mini-auction held in Kochi in late December. However, the 24-year-old didn’t get an opportunity to feature for Gujarat Titans in the entire league stage.
Needless to say, he made his debut for Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Darshan Nalkande had a dismal day at the office as he gave away 44 runs in his full quota of four overs and took just one wicket.
2. Sunny Gupta
Sunny Gupta was one of the two players who was benched for the entire league stage but was picked for playoffs. For the record, he played his only IPL game in the IPL 2012 playoffs for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). He made his IPL debut in the Qualifier 2 match against the Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.
Virender Sehwag, who was the captain of the Delhi-based franchise at that time. He gave the ball to Sunny Gupta to bowl the first over but that didn’t work out. Sunny Gupta had a bad day at the office as he leaked 47 runs in the three overs he bowled and didn’t take a wicket.
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