The league stage of IPL 2024 has come to an exciting close with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) emerging as the top four teams. One of these teams will lift the championship trophy this Sunday, May 26, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

The league round comprised 70 matches, featuring intense competition among the ten teams. Despite their efforts, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings ended up in the bottom six positions, missing out on the playoffs.

Overseas players have been instrumental in the success of the top four teams. SRH and RCB have been led by overseas captains Pat Cummins and Faf du Plessis, respectively. Meanwhile, Sunil Narine and Jos Buttler have played pivotal roles in KKR and RR’s journey to the playoffs. These players have been regular fixtures in their teams’ match squads whenever available, demonstrating their immense value.

While many overseas stars shone brightly, some highly talented foreign players did not get an opportunity to showcase their skills during the league stage of IPL 2024. Here are three notable players who remained on the bench throughout the season:

1. Kyle Mayers – Lucknow Super Giants

Kyle Mayers, who impressed as a first-choice opener for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023, was surprisingly not given a single game this season. The Caribbean all-rounder had accumulated 379 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 144.11 last year, with a top score of 73.

Mayers also contributed with the ball, delivering seven overs of medium pace at a respectable economy rate of 8.43. Despite his strong performance in the previous season, Lucknow opted to stick with Quinton de Kock, who struggled with form. Mayers was only seen during pre-match practice sessions and post-match discussions, leaving fans and analysts puzzled over his exclusion.

2. Chris Woakes – Punjab Kings

Chris Woakes, who was acquired by Punjab Kings for a hefty sum of 14.2 crores, was another notable absentee from the playing XI throughout the league stage. Woakes is a proven match-winner in international cricket, capable of making significant contributions with both bat and ball.

It was anticipated that he would share the new ball with Sam Curran or Arshdeep Singh. However, PBKS chose not to utilize Woakes, except for the final match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he was unavailable. The decision to keep such a valuable player on the bench has been widely criticized.

3. Glenn Phillips – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Glenn Phillips, regarded as one of the most versatile players in world cricket, did not get a chance to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. Known for his aggressive batting, effective spin bowling, exceptional fielding, and wicket-keeping skills, Phillips remained on the sidelines.

SRH’s reliance on Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, who have been in superb form, along with captain Pat Cummins occupying one of the overseas slots, left no room for Phillips. The fourth overseas spot was rotated between Marco Jansen and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, further limiting Phillips’ opportunities.

See Also: PCB eyes Vivian Richards for mentor role in T20 World Cup 2024

As the league stage concludes, all eyes are now on the playoffs. Fans eagerly await to see which team will emerge victorious at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 26. With the top four teams featuring a blend of domestic talent and overseas prowess, the final showdown promises to be a thrilling culmination to another memorable IPL season.

Kyle Mayers, the only batter to make cross fifty in his first two IPL games has left Lucknow with a lot to think about. His dream of playing the IPL has come true, after an year of warming the bench as Quinton De Kock dominated the opening spot. He came into cricketing World with a bang, making a double hundred in a run-chase on debut, in a format alien to the IPL, as Kyle Mayers helped chase down 395 on a wearing Bangladesh track. The knock pushed him to fame as Mayers enjoyed some strong CPL seasons as well.

In the last year though, Mayers has continued to rise with his valuable skillset of being able to bat aggressively, and also bowl some handy medium pace, while generating decent movement with the new ball. Although he was with the Lucknow Super Giants last season, it was his six against Australia which pushed him into the eleven. His outrageous cover drive which went 105 meters over the ropes was well noticed and increased the limelight on him.

This season too, Kyle Mayers could have started on the bench had it not been for South Africa’s withdrawal from an ODI series against Australia earlier this year. With South Africa forfeiting the series, their hopes for the ODI Super League took a dent, as their two ODIs against Netherlands turned out to be must-win fixtures.

With both games must-win, South Africa ensured that they had their full side against Netherlands, which allowed Kyle Mayers to have a go in the eleven. With only two games to prove himself, Kyle Mayers took his chance handsomely. He was explosive against the Capitals, on a two paced track, and then made a rampaging 50 as he tried to scale a chase of 200+ on his own.

With two fifties, Lucknow found a batter with all the intent needed. They also found a player who could provide a solid over or two with the new-ball, and also find swing. Quinton De Kock though remains a player who is undroppable. He provides a keeping option and is also an aggressive opener up front. The other opener, KL Rahul, is one of the most consistent batters in the side and is also their captain. Down the order, the other two overseas slots he could compete with are Nicholas Pooran’s and Marcus Stoinis.

Mark Wood is the fourth overseas slot, but with his pace and the X-factor he provides with the ball, dropping him would be a bad option, unless he is rested. In between Pooran and Stoinis, Pooran has done a decent job with the bat, playing an aggressive hand against the Super Kings. Stoinis though has not bowled yet and did not look to convincing down the order too.

Kyle Mayers on the other hand has been pretty deceptive with the ball, and given his record, he does look to be a bowler with a lot of potential. With all his skillsets, Mayers has proven to be an undebatable opening option both for West Indies and in the Carribean Premier League. In all likelihood though, even if Mayers finds a spot in the eleven, there is a chance of him dropping down the order with De Kock and Rahul fixed at the top.

There is a chance though of Rahul or De Kock dropping down. Both are decent at rotating strike, and are really good players of spin, an aspect where Mayers may fall behind. In the CPL and SA20 as well, when Kyle Mayers and Quinton De Kock played together, Quinton De Kock dropped down the order, and was just as effective. Regardless, the Mayers show has begun, and he could prove to be the new Caribbean sensation with his ability.