Teams win matches but it is the squad that wins titles

They are the forgotten men of the IPL, but don’t be surprised if one or two of them emerge from the shadows and play a central role in the rest of the tournament.

The facts are simple: each of the IPL teams is allowed to sign a maximum of eight overseas players but only four can be included in the starting XI. As a result, in each round of IPL matches, 32 top international cricketers can be found sitting in or near the team dug- out, wearing coloured bibs, waiting for the call, for the opportunity to prove what they can do.

Coaches and captains correctly place a premium on consistency in selection... so, once a player is left out of the team, it can be difficult to find a way back.

Some world- class performers have been sitting on the sidelines of the 2020 IPL.

David Miller is a magnificently destructive, hard-hitting batsman, who has dominated bowling attacks all around the world, but he has played only one game for RR, a side whose four overseas places seem locked down for Stokes, Buttler, Smith and Archer.

Imran Tahir took 26 wickets as CSK reached the final last year, but he has played only one game for CSK so far in 2020 with the overseas places being held by Du Plessis, Curran, Watson and Bravo for the other games.

Adam Zampa has consistently proved his exceptional ability in the Australian team, but he has not been able to secure a start in the RCB team.

Some high- quality Indian players are patiently waiting their turn as well: Ajinkya Rahane is one of the most prolific scorers in IPL history but has played only one game for DC, while the dangerous Deepak Hooda, Umesh Yadav and others are also not playing.

Each of these cricketers has been training as hard as anyone, knowing they will need to be ready to perform as and when the call comes... and, with the tournament hurtling towards its conclusion in the play- off matches, for some of these players, the call will come.

Also, they will all understand the important role they can play even when not selected, ensuring they consistently bring energy to the squad, maintaining intensity in training, supporting those that are playing. It has often been said, and it remains true, that in elite professional sport, teams may be able to win matches but it is squads that win titles.

Who will emerge from the shadows this year? We will see.