The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has now entered an intense second half. The competition for playoff spots is heating up, and as things stand, any of the ten teams still have a shot at finishing in the top four. However, over the next two weeks, the playoff picture will become much clearer. During this time, we may even see two or three teams getting knocked out of contention.
Some of the star players who were either retained or bought for huge sums during the mega auction have turned out to be major disappointments this season both batters and bowlers. Franchises that placed heavy bets on these players have found themselves in trouble. Let’s take a look at a “Fraud XI” a team made up of highly-paid players who have massively underperformed this season.
Top Order: Who Makes the Cut?
Quinton de Kock (KKR) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (DC) open the batting in this underwhelming XI. KKR bought South African wicketkeeper-batter de Kock for ₹3.6 crore in the last mega auction as a replacement for England’s Phil Salt. Hopes were high due to de Kock’s experience, but he failed to deliver, scoring only 143 runs in seven innings at an average of 23.83. As a result, he was eventually dropped for Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Fraser-McGurk was one of the breakout stars of the previous season. Expecting another big season, Delhi Capitals retained him for a whopping ₹9 crore. However, he managed just 55 runs in six innings at an average of 9.16, leading to his exclusion from the playing XI.
Number 3: Rachin Ravindra (CSK)
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, bought by Chennai Super Kings for ₹4 crore, has been a massive disappointment. Despite his international success, he failed to replicate that form in the IPL, scoring just 122 runs in eight innings at an average of 27.28.
Middle Order
At No. 4 is Rishabh Pant (LSG), also the captain and wicketkeeper of this ‘Fraud XI’. After leaving Delhi Capitals, Pant was highly sought-after in the auction. Lucknow Super Giants snapped him up for a record-breaking ₹27 crore. However, he has managed only 106 runs in seven innings at a poor average of 15.14.
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At No. 5, we have Venkatesh Iyer (KKR), who was re-signed by Kolkata for ₹23.74 crore after being released. Unfortunately, his performance has been underwhelming, scoring just 135 runs in six innings at an average of 22.50.
Dhruv Jurel (RR) bats at No. 6. He was retained for ₹14 crore by Rajasthan Royals but has only managed 191 runs in eight innings at an average of 38.20.
Bowling Line-Up Breakdown
At No. 7 and 8 are CSK’s Indian veterans Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. Jadeja was retained for ₹18 crore but took only five wickets in eight matches. Ashwin was bought back for ₹9.75 crore but managed just five wickets in seven games.
Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami of Sunrisers Hyderabad lead the pace attack. Shami, bought for ₹10 crore, took only five wickets in seven innings. Cummins, retained for ₹18 crore, also claimed just seven wickets in as many games.
Completing the pace trio is Deepak Chahar (MI), who was bought for ₹9.25 crore and picked up only six wickets in eight matches.
Impact Player: Glenn Maxwell (PBKS)
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Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, bought by Punjab Kings for ₹4.2 crore, has also failed to deliver. In five innings, he has managed just 41 runs, making him the ultimate flop as an impact player.
IPL 2025’s ‘Flop XI’:
- Quinton de Kock
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Rachin Ravindra
- Rishabh Pant (Captain, Wicketkeeper)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Dhruv Jurel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Pat Cummins
- Mohammed Shami
- Deepak Chahar
Impact Substitute: Glenn Maxwell
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