IPL 2018: Unsold players who have returned as replacements
Not everybody gets a second chance at redemption. Every IPL season, a few unsold players make it to the cash-rich tournament as replacements for those who are ruled out due to injuries. This year, as well, several big players including Smith, Warner and Starc will not participate in IPL. Here we look at those players who have returned as replacements.
New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson
Big-hitting Kiwi all-rounder Corey Anderson, surprisingly, went unsold at this year's IPL auction. However, an injury to RCB's Nathan Coulter-Nile saw the Virat Kohli led franchise rope in Anderson for his base price. Corey Anderson, who previously played for the Mumbai Indians, has 27 IPL matches under his belt. In his IPL career, he has scored 521 runs and bagged 8 wickets.
New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan
Mitchell McClenaghan has been one of the most consistent performers, with him picking 18, 17 and 19 wickets in the last 3 seasons. However, he had no takers at the auction. He has been given a second chance to redeem himself as he replaces injured Jason Behrendorff in the Mumbai Indians squad. McClenaghan was roped in for his base price of Rs. 1 crore.
England opener Alex Hales
Sunrisers were dealt a massive blow when captain Warner was suspended from IPL for his role in the ball-tampering incident. But lucky for them, Alex Hales had went unsold and the Sunrisers were quick to rope him in for his base price of Rs. 1 crore. Hales was a part of MI in 2015, however, he is yet to play his first IPL match
South African wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen
Smith's ban forced the Royals to look out for options and they found the right match in South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen. Klaasen was on fire during ODI and T20I series against India. He is a quality player of spin and had sent Indian spin-twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav on a leather hunt. He was bought for his base price of Rs. 50 lakh.
England speedster Tom Curran
Kolkata Knight Riders pace spearhead Mitchell Starc was recently ruled out due to an injured right shin. The two-time champions replaced him with England pacer Tom Curran, forking out Rs. 1.62 crore. Curran does not bowl as fast as Starc and is not a left-arm seamer, but he is very deceptive and can bowl superb yorkers. This will be his first IPL.
