IPL 2016: Top 5 bowlers of the tournament

During the advent of T20 cricket, many were clear that it was indeed a batsman’s game. The flat pitches, the shorter boundaries, and the amended rules saw the bowlers on the receiving end of cricket’s newest format. However, the IPL 2016 saw many a bowler step up to the plate with some stellar bowling performances. What is also heartening to see is that the bowlers have somewhat perfected the art of bowling in the death while the captains have finally learnt how to use them. 1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo Source: BCCI) Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s rise back to being a bowling powerhouse has been nothing short of spectacular. The 26-year old was initially left out having sustained a few injuries and niggles. Things went from bad to worse as the pacer was dropped from the squad with the selectors preferring to go with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra. However, this edition of the IPL has seen Bhuvi come into his own. Apart from the mammoth 23 wickets taken for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kumar has increased his bowling speed by quite a margin. He has been able to clock speeds as high as 145 kmph. He ended the tournament as the Purple cap holder and was a key player in SRH’s winning campaign. Also check out – List of purple cap holders in the IPL 2. Yuzvendra Chahal: Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: BCCI) ‘Popeye without the spinach’, as Yuzvendra Chahal was popularized in this IPL has finally broken out of the shell he had been in the past years. Having been picked by the Challengers two years back, Chahal has grown leaps and bounds over the course of his stint with RCB. While he has been marginally impressive in the previous seasons, this edition has seen a different Chahal emerge from the ranks of the Bangalore-based franchise. He picked wickets at regular intervals in matches and was also one of the key enforcers in the great RCB turnaround. He has 21 wickets to his name and was also the beneficiary of the purple cap until he conceded it to teammate Shane Watson and ultimately to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His impressive performances have seen him make it to the India squad for the tour of Zimbabwe later this year. Also, read – First-time Indian players on the tour to Zimbabwe 3. Shane Watson: Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Shane Watson. (Photo by NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images) In the initial stages of the IPL, Shane Watson was a bit scratchy. Having been picked up for an insane amount, Watson failed with the bat for the most part. While he always chipped in with the ball, Watson soon became exclusively known for his prowess with the ball. In RCB’s turnaround, Watson found himself rediscovered as a bowler. He not only continued to pick up the wickets but also bowled rather economically. He was adjudged man of the match against the Kings XI Punjab for his 4/22, a match which the Challengers clinched by a solitary run. 4. Mustafizur Rahman: Mustafizur Rahman (Photo Source: BCCI) The Bangladeshi pacer has been a revelation. Having made his mark in the Bangladesh ODI side as well as the World T20, Mustafizur Rahman was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for big bucks in the auction. However, despite the price tag, ‘Fizz’ as he is commonly known, has lived up to every penny spent on him. Apart from the 17 wickets he has grabbed in the tournament, Mustafizur was economical as well. He has the lowest economy rate among the bowlers who have taken the most number of wickets at 6.90. Although a case certainly can be made from the fact that Mustafizur hasn’t been properly used by his skipper, his off-cutters are simply phenomenal. He is most definitely one for the future. 5. Dhawal Kulkarni: Dhawal Kulkarni. (Photo Source: BCCI) Dhawal Kulkarni has finally earned his way back into the team India squad for the Zimbabwe tour. For those of you who thought that it was because he was performing well in the IPL, you are correct. Apart from the mammoth 18 wickets he grabbed in IPL 2016, Kulkarni impressed one and all with his solid bowling performance in Bangalore. His first spell yielded 3/5 and he eventually finished with 4/14. The Mumbai pacer was not just good with the new ball but also made a strong case with his death bowling. The team of the tournament – The Best XI of IPL 2016

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IPL 2016: Top 5 bowlers of the tournament

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