IPL 2022: Five backup players who have gone on to become Permanent members of the playing XI – The 10 teams in the ongoing 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) built a squad in such a way that they could have backup options to their first-choice players. The likes of Umesh Yadav, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Tim Southee though have bucked that trend and have gone to shine as the backup player by putting on impressive show. Follow IPL 2022 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
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IPL 2022: Five backup players who have gone on to become PERMANENT MEMBERS of the playing XI in season 15: Check Out
Southee who was a backup option to Pat Cummins has grabbed his opportunities after the Australia Test captain failed to fire. The same is the case with Umesh Yadav, who was originally picked by KKR as an option to other pacer bowlers.
Here at InsideSport, we take a look at such backup players who have gone on to become permanent members of the playing XI
1: Umesh Yadav – KKR
KKR pacer Umesh Yadav was picked only in the accelerated bidding during the IPL 2022 mega auctions. Naturally, he was not a sure start pick in the playing XI. Yadav though was given an opportunity in the team’s opener against CSK. The veteran stunned everyone by picking two wickets. He managed to move the ball both ways too.
Since that epic spell, Yadav has gone to be certainty in the playing XI. He has picked 11 wickets in 8 matches and is KKR’s power-play enforcer.
IPL 2022: Five backup players who have gone on to become PERMANENT MEMBERS of the playing XI in season 15: Check Out
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa – PBKS
PBKS wicketkeeper batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa was the backup to Jonny Bairstow. The southpaw played three games before being dropped. In that three games though, Rajapaksa managed to make an impact as he scored 83 runs at a strike rate of above 150. Bairstow though returned and the southpaw was dropped.
In the remaining games, PBKS and Biartsow struggled to get going. Rajapaksa was again included in the game against CSK. He scored 42 and helped his side win by 11 runs. Overall, the wicketkeeper batter has scored 125 runs at a strike rate of 183.82.
- Dewald Brevis – MI
MI had long-term plans with regards to Dewald Brevis and that was clear when he did not play in the initial few games. However, MI’s batters struggled and Brevis was given an opportunity. The Under-19 star player managed to grab it with both hands. In the six matches that he has placed, Brevis has scored 124 runs at a strike rate of 155.
He is yet to score a fifty, but his big hits of Rahul Chahar have already become the talk of the town. MI are set to persist with him for the remainder of the games.
- Tim Southee – KKR
Southee was a backup option to Pat Cummins and KKR made that very clear during mega auctions. Little did they know that Cummins, who was coming in a rich vein of form into the IPL would endure a torrid time. He picked up only 4 wickets and conceded runs 8 runs per over in these games. Southee was given chance and he has nailed that spot by picking 8 wickets. By looks of it, KKR will give the Kiwi pacer more chances in the coming games.
- Shahbaz Ahmed – RCB
RCB all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has filled the void left by Washington Sundar ably. Not many people know that Shahbaz is predominately a batter who can bowl a few overs of off-spin. He has batted beautifully in the ongoing IPL season. Originally, he was not supposed to bat at five, but RCB’s struggles at the top order have made him a permanent member at number five.
The all-rounder has scored 195 runs in nine games. He has failed to pick up a wicket, but he has been economical.
IPL 2022: Five backup players who have gone on to become PERMANENT MEMBERS of the playing XI in season 15: Check Out
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