IPL 2022: Teamwise unsung hero of the tournament

2. Dushmantha Chameera (LSG)

It was the debut IPL season for Chameera in 2022. Known to clock 140 km/hr consistently, much was expected from the Sri Lankan pacer. LSG had an auction strategy of having a formidable pace attack this season. When Mark Wood was declared injured for this IPL, team Lucknow was hoping for Chameera to step up and lead their pace attack.

While it was a breakthrough season for Mohsin Khan, the contributions of Chameera cannot be neglected. In his very first match, the tall fast bowler returned with figures of 2/22 with crucial wickets of Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar. However, after an expensive spell on a flat wicket against CSK, Chameera was dropped for Andrew Tye.

He came back stronger though in the game against the Royals, where he returned with figures of 0/22 at an economy of 5.5. Against RCB, Chameera knocked the top order including Virat Kohli for a duck despite the contest being a high-scoring affair.

His ability to be lethal up top as well as being economical was once again proved when LSG defended 168 against the Mumbai Indians, where the pacer went for just 14 runs from his four overs. Overall, Chameera was able to do the job that was expected from him and was one of the reasons why LSG were able to make it to the playoffs in their debut season.