IPL 2024: Best Benched XI of sixth week

Devdutt padikal,Kane Williasmon and Umesh Yadav. (Source -Getty Images)

The Indian Premier League 2024 has finally entered into the final couple of weeks as all teams try to qualify for the play-offs later this month. With only four spots up for grabs and with most teams left with only three games to play, the intense on-field battle for qualification has begun.

Over the 52 matches that have been played so far in this edition of the Indian Premier League, a lot of quality players have performed for their side but some players have also been sidelined to the bench owing to poor form as well as fewer opportunities in the playing XI. Ahead of the 7th week of the tournament, let’s take a look at the best XI that was benched during the 6th week.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Points Table

Here is the best-benched XI of the week:

1. Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal. (Photo Source: Jio Cinema)

Devdutt Padikkal has been having a very rough tournament so far and has not been able to contribute much to the Lucknow Super Giants franchise. He has been starting at the number three position which is technically not his ideal slot to bat upon, which may be one of the reasons for this decline in form. The Southpaw is still one of the best upcoming Indian batters of the generation has a lot of quality and must be backed by the franchise for the final few games this season.

2. Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra. (Source -IPL)

When Devon Conway got ruled out, it paved the way for young New Zealand international, Rachin Ravindra to make a mark in the Indian Premier League for the first time. Despite some promising in a couple of games early on in the season, the batting all-rounder became a sort of a liability for the side. He was dropped from the team but is currently amongst the best upcoming batters of this era and has made our team this week.

3. Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson. (Source -Getty Images)

When Kane Williamson was bought during the 2023 auctions, everyone thought that the batter would be a sure-shot starter for the franchise. However, injuries and less opportunities have meant that the New Zealand skipper has to sit out of the team. With the majority of the overseas slots taken up by the bowlers, the one batting slot has been given to David Miller. Given the power-hitting ability of the latter, it was obvious that it would be improbable for Williamson to start over the South African batter. However, he is still one of the best players in the world and has made this team and would be batting at number three in this line-up.

4. Aiden Markram

Aiden Markram ( Photo source: IPL )

The former Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper has been out of the playing XI for a couple of games now and that has affected the team as well of late. The batting has looked meek in his absence and the franchise is struggling to post good totals on the scoreboard. He should be drafted back into the playing XI soon and might be a great fit for the team once again.

5. Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

The reason behind not starting Glenn Phillips in any of the matches so far is not understandable at all. The batter has come into the tournament in tremendous form and can be the lower-order batter that the Sunrisers Hyderabad have desired this season. He can also contribute a few overs with the ball which is a great asset for any team. The franchise should give him a start sooner rather than later and he can turn out to be a great player for the team during the final few matches.

6. Anuj Rawat

Anuj Rawat (Source -RCB)

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru looked like a settled batting line-up despite losing six games on the trot. Anuj Rawat was a key part of the first few games of the tournament for the franchise but the wicket-keeper batter was dropped. The left-handed batter provided the impetus to the innings with his small cameos and could still be drafted back into the playing XI for the final games of the league stage.

7. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

The all-rounder was expected to play a major role for the Sunrisers Hyderabad this season but poor form has seen him become a bench player for the most part. He has had some appearances as an impact player but has not had a noteworthy contribution with either bat or ball so far this season. However, the all-rounder can be a key player for the franchise and can provide the much-needed balance that the Sunrisers Hyderabad currently needs.

8. Akash Madhwal

Akash Madhwal (Photo source: IPL )

At the start of the current season, everyone was looking forward to the partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Madhwal. However, the pacer did not start the initial few games of the season but when he was introduced he scalped wickets regularly for his side. However, the economy rate was something that concerned the team management a lot and he was ultimately dropped from the side. He is still one of the best prospects for the Mumbai Indians and should ideally start for the franchise in the remaining few games of the campaign.

9. R Sai Kishore

Sai Kishore (Source -IPL)

After a brilliant domestic season, R Sai Kishore was touted to be one of the key players for the Gujarat Titans for IPL 2024. He was clinical in a few games but was unable to cement his place in the starting XI. The spinner was not used correctly as well and was ultimately dropped from the line-up. However, with slow pitches coming up in the tournament, the Tamil Nadu skipper should be ideally selected by the franchise.

10. Akash Deep

Akash Deep. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

After an impressive performance during his Test debut for Team India, everyone expected a lot from Akash Deep heading into the Indian Premier League 2024. However, the pacer was not able to continue his good form for the franchise and was ultimately left out of the starting XI. The speedster still can trouble the batters and with a pace-friendly wicket at the M.Chinnaswamy stadium, he must be included for the final games of the tournament.

11. Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

When Mohammed Shami got ruled out, everyone anticipated that Umesh Yadav would have to be the player who does the bulk of the damage during the powerplay overs for the franchise. However, some poor performances and a high economic rate have resulted in him getting dropped from the line-up. The pacer is still one of the best Indian pacers in the tournament and should be a starter for the franchise.