It’s that time of the year once again. The Indian Premier League is all set to begin and we can’t wait to experience all the action from yet another exciting season. Yes, T20s might be a batsmen’s game largely but we have seen how bowlers have carved their own presence in the IPL over the years. That said, we take a look at one bowler from each of the eight teams who could go on to take IPL 2020 by storm.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Rashid Khan
One of the hottest properties in T20 cricket at the moment, Rashid Khan is a threat for the batsmen on any pitch at any stage of the game. Into his fourth season in the IPL, Rashid has been pivotal in SRH’s consistency in defending low totals. Such has been his accuracy and guile that more often than not teams just look to play him out instead of looking to score off him.
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Having played in T20 leagues around the globe, Rashid is now wiser and more experienced and has found ways of getting wickets even when batsmen are looking to play him out. On wickets which are slow and low, the Afghan wrist-spinner might prove to be nightmare for the oppositions, just like the qualifiers in 2018 against CSK. One of the best leg-spinners in the tournament, Rashid Khan is certainly the most important bowler for SRH going into IPL 2020.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins was bought for a whopping 15 cr by KKR in the auctions, making him the most expensive overseas player in the IPL. One of the best all-format bowlers in the world at present, Cummins has not set the stage on fire in IPL yet. Having played for KKR and DC before, Cummins missed the 2018 season due to injury and skipped the 2019 season for World Cup preparations. But going into the IPL 2020 season, the Aussie speedster is in the form of his life. Having pace, bounce and swing, Cummins is deadly accurate in his line and length and is therefore difficult to get away with.
Moreover, the Eden Gardens pitch is something Cummins will be happy to have as his home pitch in the IPL as it will suit his style of bowling. Coming into the IPL with form on his side, Cummins might prove to be the game-changer for KKR.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – Chris Morris
Death bowling has been RCB’s nemesis for a long time now, something which has been the biggest obstacle between them and their maiden IPL trophy. South African all-rounder Chris Morris might just prove to be the solution for the problem this season. Released by Delhi Capitals, Morris was snapped by RCB in the recently concluded auctions. The lanky fast bowler is known for his ability to pick wickets regularly and for his crafty death bowling. Despite being a bit on the expensive side, Morris’ knack of getting wickets makes him a valuable asset.
Morris, with his ability to use the long handle, will also be handed over the responsibility to finish the innings with the bat too. RCB have always been a top-heavy side without much focus on finishing. However, with Morris coming in, they will have the cushion of someone who can fit into the role of a finisher. RCB’s fortunes depend to a large extent on how good a season Chris Morris has.
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Delhi Capitals – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the biggest finds for Indian cricket from the IPL. One of the best spinners in the league till date, Ashwin started with CSK and later played for KXIP and will be starting a new journey with DC. The former KXIP skipper was traded in by DC during the transfer window ahead of the auctions. The move might prove to be a masterstroke, given the nature of their home pitch and Ashwin’s ability to take advantage of such pitches. Despite not being amongst wickets off late in the IPL, Ashwin continues to be economical even on pitches not assisting much turn. But he finally will be getting a pitch similar to Chepauk, which will be slow and assist spin, which is why Ashwin is one of the bowlers to look forward to this season. DC’s success at home depends largely on the experienced campaigner’s performance and given the player he is, it will not be surprising if he proves to be DC’s trump card in close games.
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Mumbai Indians – Trent Boult
Trent Boult was traded in by Mumbai Indians from Delhi Capitals during the transfer window ahead of the auctions. Boult is undoubtedly one of the best left-arm pacers at the moment, but he has not played much T20 cricket off late. Also, he is yet to make his mark in the IPL even after playing more than 5 seasons. Having shown glimpses of brilliance in the past, Boult has often been inconsistent and leaked runs at the death in the IPL. However, Boult is too good a bowler to be written off. Given the quality he possesses, it is just a matter of time before Boult sets the stage on fire in the IPL. Moreover, with Mumbai Indians he will get just the kind of pitch he wants, where the pitch will have enough pace and bounce.
Coming into the IPL with great form, it will not be a surprise if Boult finally makes it big in the IPL. Given the knack of picking a flurry of wickets on his day, the Kiwi speedster might prove to be a trump card for the defending champions.
Kings XI Punjab – Chris Jordan
Chris Jordan has been playing leagues around the globe for a long time and is known for his skillful display of bowling. The limited overs specialist from England might prove to be the answer to KXIP’s death bowling issues. Jordan has been brilliant at the death with his variations and accuracy. His experience of playing in T20 leagues around the globe makes him a more valuable asset to the team. Poor death bowling cost KXIP many crucial games last season, but if Jordan performs to his potential, KXIP might be able to close out crunch games and will have a great chance of reaching the semifinals.
Jordan has been in superb form and has been amongst wickets in the past few months. England’s premier T20 pacer, Jordan will hold the key to KXIP’s success in the season.
Chennai Super Kings – Lungi Ngidi
Young South African pacer Lungi Ngidi was bought by CSK in the 2018 auctions and was quite impressive in the opportunities he got. Known for his red-ball bowling prowess before the start of the tournament, Ngidi was one of the most improved bowlers from the season as he went on to master death bowling by the end of the season. In the limited opportunities he got, Ngidi made life difficult even for the best in the business.
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After missing the 2019 season due to injury, Ngidi will be back for CSK for the upcoming season, this time with much more white-ball experience. The recently concluded T20I series against England and Australia saw Ngidi consistently being amongst the wickets. It not be a surprise if Ngidi makes this season as his own and help CSK go for the glory.
Rajasthan Royals – Shreyas Gopal
Not often you see a bowler dismiss Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the same over, but Karnataka leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal has done it twice in two season. Bought by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2018 auctions, Gopal played a key role in his side’s progress to the playoffs as he was regularly amongst the wickets. After a not-so-remarkable season last year, Gopal will be hoping to get back his wicket-taking form. On pitches which are on the slower side, Gopal will be RR’s best bet with the ball.
Being the most experienced spinner in the side and a more than handy lower order batsman, Shreyas Gopal will be a vital cog in the wheel. There has been a trend in the leagues all over the world over the last few years that teams having better wrist spinners tend to reach farther in the tournament. Gopal, being a very potent wicket-taker, therefore holds the key for RR’s success in the upcoming edition.