ICC World Cup 2019: Top 5 contenders for the leading wicket-taker

With the Top 5 contenders for the leading run-scorer in the ICC World Cup 2019 done, it’s time to move on to the bowlers’ category now. For long, cricket has been dubbed as a batsman’s game and it’s unfair on many levels. In recent times, it has been the bowlers who have done the job for their team more often than not and a famous example would be Jasprit Bumrah for India.

Bowling in a major event like a World Cup is as tough as it gets and that’s largely because a World Cup repeats itself every 4 years and the hopes of millions are resting on the players’ shoulders. While there are bound to be shockers this time around, this World Cup also promises to be memorable for 5 such bowlers who are primed to lead the bowling charts because of the form that they have been in over the past couple of years and not to forget, the quality that they possess.

Having said that, let’s have a look at the top 5 contenders for the leading wicket-taker in the ICC WC 2019.

Jasprit Bumrah

Perhaps the best bowler in the world at the moment, Jasprit Bumrah had a memorable 2018. Bumrah’s unique and uncanny bowling action makes him particularly tough to face in swinging conditions. Jasprit is by far, the best death bowler in the world at the moment and that’s largely because of his accuracy and the precision with which he delivers his yorkers. Even with a short run-up Bumrah consistently clocks speeds in excess of 140+kph and is a legend in the making.

The 25-year-old has got an average of 21.01 and an economy of 4.45 in 44 ODI’s which is quite impressive for a new-ball and death-overs specialist. These figures only point towards the quality that Bumrah possesses but on his day, he’s even better and these numbers would be just a faint reflection of the world-class bowler that he truly is. Expect Bumrah to lead the bowlers’ list.

Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm chinaman is a tough bowler to interpret and that’s largely because of his action and his unpredictability. Kuldeep is a smart bowler who knows the required line and length to manipulate any batsman into playing a false shot. His wrong’un is particularly hard to read and he gets most of his wickets with his googlies. Kuldeep is the leader of the Indian spin department when it comes to limited-overs cricket and that shows the type of impact he has had in his short run of 39 ODIs.

Yadav has an impressive average of 20.65 in ODIs and a brilliant economy of 4.77. The 24 year-old is known to choke the opposition during the middle-overs and thus not allowing them to escape during the death-overs. Kuldeep will probably pip Rashid Khan in the tournament as India are expected to go a long way in the marquee event.

Kagiso Rabada

In his short career so far, Rabada has proven that he can be the greatest South African bowler after Dale Steyn and he has the pace and accuracy to back his skills. Rabada’s burning desire to get a wicket off every ball is what makes him special and the aggression in his bowling and demeanor is itself intimidating, let alone the pace. The South African speedster has an average of 26.97 and a decent economy of 5 from 62 ODI’S.

With the new ball in his hands, Rabada is a force to reckon with and the 23-year-old is already an asset for his side, and an integral component of it. The right-arm fast bowler is expected to give a tough fight to New Zealand’s Trent Boult. Expect Rabada and Boult go toe to toe once the World Cup gets underway.

Trent Boult

English conditions are tailor-made for someone like Trent Boult because the New Zealand tracks offer near-about the same bounce and carry. Boult is one of the most lethal new ball bowlers going around at the moment and on his day he can dismantle even the best of batting orders. Trent’s ability to clock speeds of 145+ kph on a consistent basis and that too, on a troubling line and length is what makes him a world-class bowler and the ideal replacement for Tim Southee when he’s gone.

The 29 year-old has a decent average of 24.87 from 76 ODI’s and a healthy economy of 5.11. Boult is also one of the better death-bowlers at the moment and is a live-wire on the field. With the Duke ball in his hand and the form that he is in, Trent Boult will be looking to wreak havoc once the ICC WC 2019 gets underway. Watch out for Trent Boult in the race of the leading wicket-takers.

Hasan Ali

The Pakistan speedster finished as the Man of the Tournament in the ICC CT 2017 after he bowled Pakistan to its first win in the tournament. He picked up 13 wickets at an average of 14.69 and an economy of 4.29. These numbers are beyond impressive and it shows the potential that the 24-year-old possesses. In 44 ODI’s, Hasan has an average of 24.18 and an economy of 5.26 which is pretty decent for a fast bowler.

Ali’s skiddy and sudden bouncers are a real threat and he is a modern day bowler who relies on variations rather than raw pace. Hasan Ali has a smooth action and his approachon the pitch helps him with his consistency, which is a prerequisite to succeed in England. Having won the Man of the Tournament in English conditions, Hasan would back himself to repeat the same feat this time around.

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