In the Indian Premier League auction, franchises often spend huge sums to secure players. However, not every expensive signing gets a regular place in the playing line-up. Over the years, many cricketers have surprisingly found a place on the bench despite huge pay cheques. Factors like poor form, frequent injuries and team combinations often make franchises sideline these players.
In some cases, big foreign names struggle to fit into the four-foreign player rule, while sometimes Indian stars fail to make the expected impact after being bought for huge sums. As a result, teams prefer more in-form options, leaving marquee signings to watch from the dugout.
Here are the 5 most expensive players in IPL history who were dropped from the bench
5. Tim David: 2022
Australian all-rounder tim davidWho was bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 8.25 crore in the IPL 2022 auction, he played in only two of his first seven matches. With the scores at 12 and 1, the Australian power-hitter was removed early as MI had their worst start to an IPL season with seven consecutive defeats.
Along with players like Kieron Pollard, overseas fast bowlers and South African teenager Dewald Brewis, David was left out of the XI despite his solid PSL form, where he scored 278 runs at a strike rate of 194. He ultimately finished the season playing eight games and scoring. 186 runs. His absence had surprised former players like Wasim Jaffer and Graeme Swann, who questioned Mumbai's decision to keep such an expensive recruit on the bench.
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