Halfway into the IPL, Cricinfo looks at the biggest failures so far – those who’ve belied the hype or not delivered on their salaries
Jamie Alter01-Apr-2010Yuvraj Singh, Kings XI Punjab
Matches played: 7
Runs: 101 @14.42
Wickets: 3 @ 26.66
Price: $1,063,750
By far the biggest failure of IPL 2010, and correspondingly the most hyped flop so far. The stats above tell only part of the story; rumours abound as to the reason behind his drastic loss of form but from the outside Yuvraj – stripped of the captaincy after last season – does not look either fit or interested, or even a potential matchwinner for India at the ICC World Twenty20. His dismissals, notably against Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai, were shots of a man torn between attack and defence, and struggling for timing.Kumar Sangakkara, Kings XI Punjab
Matches played: 6
Runs: 91 @ 18.20
Price: US$700,000
The idea behind giving Sangakkara the Punjab captaincy can be understood, especially after the coach Tom Moody’s outburst against Yuvraj last year. Sangakkara led Sri Lanka to the ICC World Twenty20 final last year and is respected on the international circuit. But he’s been a massive let-down this season, tactically and statistically, and being fined and subsequently banned for a poor over-rate hasn’t helped. His most disappointing innings came in the dismal loss to Kolkata where, along with Mahela Jayawardene, he failed to go for the shots and left his team-mates with too much to do. A reported rift with Yuvraj could have had a bearing on someone who prides himself on being a team man.Mahela Jayawardene, Kings XI Punjab
Matches played: 7
Runs: 102 @ 17.00
Price: US$475,000
Like his Sri Lankan team-mate, Jayawardene has been cut a forlorn figure at the crease. He’s just not been able to get going and on the occasions he’s managed a start, Jayawardene has been bogged down by a sluggish strike-rate and cut off before he can hit hard. His innings alongside Sangakkara against Kolkata was baffling and allowed the pressure to mount rapidly on Punjab. With the run-rate shooting up, Jayawardene fell while going for a high-risk shot: he moved outside off stump and couldn’t connect with the paddle shot.Sreesanth, Kings XI Punjab
Matches played: 4
Wickets: 3 @ 45.66
Price: US$625,000
The “fastest mouth in the south” has, perhaps not surprisingly some would argue, been erratic this season. Much was expected of Sreesanth in Brett Lee’s absence due to injury and Irfan Pathan’s return from injury, but after a good first game he was carted for 42 in three overs by Bangalore Royal Challengers and dropped. The story read much the same: too many deliveries down the pads, slower balls ended up full tosses, and the chatter just didn’t outdo the success. An economy rate of 9.78 ranks as one of the worst in the league. At least he hasn’t slapped anyone yet.RP Singh, Deccan Chargers
Matches played: 6
Wickets: 6 @ 32.00
Price: US$875,000He snared 15 wickets in the inaugural season to be one of the bright spot in Deccan’s dispiriting inaugural season. He topped that by winning the purple cap in 2009 to spearhead Deccan’s unexpected run to the title. This season, though, hasn’t followed the trend set in the first two: he’s been plastered for 9.60 runs an over, and he has bowled a full quota of overs in only half his matches. The only game he’s had an impact in is the one against Mumbai Indians, when an early double-strike left the table-toppers in trouble.The runs haven’t flowed for Tillkaratne Dilshan this year•AFPTillakaratne Dilshan, Delhi Daredevils
Matches: 4
Runs: 32 @ 8.00
Price: US$250,000The man who blazed his way through every form of the game last season, and whose signature scoop shot became the rage, has been a pale imitation of his flamboyant self. He batted all of three deliveries for two ducks in Delhi’s first two games and was cut off before he could get a start in the next two. By the time the team played their fifth game, Dilshan was benched and that’s where he’s been since.AB de Villiers, Delhi Daredevils
Matches: 6
Runs: 107 @ 17.83
Price: US$300,000Like Dilshan, it would seem a little unfair to criticise de Villiers, who was also a key performer for Delhi in 2009. But de Villiers has performed in only one match, against Bangalore, where his 45 helped set a competitive target and his stunning catch on the boundary gave the fielding effort some lift. His problem has been the same as Dilshan’s – getting a start. His preferred cut and square drives have not come off and led to his dismissal against Mumbai Indians, while against Chennai Super Kings he was part of a key collapse. Against Deccan Chargers de Villiers missed a full toss from Rohit Sharma that sparked another collapse.Ishant Sharma, Kolkata Knight Riders
Matches: 6
Wickets: 7 @ 27.14
Price: US$950,000An Indian national fast bowler valued at $950,000 who can’t keep his place in an IPL side. Ishant continues to disappoint in this tournament and this season he has just seven wickets – that works out to $135,714.28 per wicket. He has struggled to deliver with the new ball, taking just two wickets at 49.00 inside the Powerplays, and when he’s been called on to bowl during the death – after the 15th over an innings – he’s taken just three wickets and cost 10.57 runs an over.Shane Bond, Kolkata Knight Riders
Matches: 5
Wickets: 5 @ 29.60
Price: US$750,000Shane Bond’s first foray into the IPL has been pretty average so far; in five matches he has five wickets. Not what the owners had in mind when they signed on the New Zealand fast bowler. His first outing was wicketless and cost 33 from four overs; his second yielded 2 for 32; his third 0 from 31 from three overs; and in his fourth Bond took 2 for 24. These are adequate returns, but more is expected from the tearaway who has been given the responsibility of spearheading Kolkata’s attack.Kieron Pollard, Mumbai Indians
Matches: 6
Runs: 79 @ 13.16
Wickets: 2 @ 44.00
Price: US$750,000This year’s hottest and most expensive buy hasn’t translated his earnings into success with bat or ball. Pollard has become one of West Indies’ main money men without proving his value in the international arena, but his achievements in the IPL leave much to be desired. He missed the first match and some will argue that he’s been under-used, especially when batting at No’s 6, 7 and 8. In his first major opportunity with the bat he came out at No. 8 and hit 21 from 19 balls. In the next match he had a good chance to get some batting practice but fell to a daft shot for 7. Against Deccan his manic swipe ended up a top edge to third man. In the last match Pollard was sent in at No. 3 and again fell trying a big shot. His slow medium-pace has proved largely ineffective, especially during the Powerplays.Eoin Morgan, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Matches: 6
Runs: 35 @ 11.66
Price: US$220,000Morgan appeared the biggest steal of the 2010 auction. In a team with correct batsmen such as Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid, Morgan’s innovativeness – hard reverse-sweeps through packed off-side fields, for instance – seemed the right touch for Bangalore. But in six games, Morgan got four innings and returned 35 runs at 11.66. A lot of this had to do with the success of Bangalore’s openers, who lead the league in terms of partnership success, and the little time Morgan consequently had to bat. You can’t really call him a total failure, but seeing Morgan put on the bench upon Kevin Pietersen and Cameron White’s return to the squad indicates how he’s been valued so far.
