Team-wise one best death bowler for IPL 2020 in UAE

The wait of millions of fans is finally set to end in September. The much-awaited T20 extravaganza– IPL 2020– is likely to hit the floor this year in UAE, with the BCCI shortlisting the Middle East country to host the tournament amid the pandemic.

The thirteenth edition of the IPL was initially slated to start from March 29. However, the pandemic wreaked havoc on the global cricket scenario, forcing the Indian board to indefinitely postpone the cash-rich league. With a surge in COVID-19 cases, the IPL was on the verge of cancellation this year. But the BCCI, in order to avoid heavy losses, has resorted to shifting the IPL to a new country altogether.

After ICC’s announcement regarding the postponement of this year’s T20 World Cup, the IPL Governing Council is planning to meet for drawing out an IPL 2020 roadmap. After seeking the government’s approval, an official announcement is also on the cards.

Much before the T20 shimmer unfolds in the UAE, the players and franchises have already started to work on their plans. Indian stars, after being away from the sport for almost five months now, will start training to get back into their rhythm before flying to the UAE to unravel the action.

Talking about the bowling aspect of the tournament, it’s going to be a completely different scenario for the bowlers. A significant change in the pitch and conditions may help bowlers to curb heavy run-flow. This time around, it is perhaps bowlers who are expected to dominate in the cash-rich league.

With the dominant batting force which every franchise possesses, curbing runs in the death overs is certainly an arduous task for any bowler. However, each franchise also has a couple of bowlers who can turn the tables with their forte. On that note, let’s take a look at bowlers from each franchise who can perform exceedingly well in the death overs.

Here’s the list:

1. Isuru Udana – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Despite being one of the star-studded sides since the inception of the IPL, Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore has failed to lift the silverware even once. The presence of batting heavyweights like Kohli and de Villiers is undoubtedly a boon for the Bangalore franchise.

But it’s their inconsistent bowling display that has disappointed the franchise many a time. RCB is known for leaking runs, especially in the latter overs and skipper Kohli might trust Isuru Udana to sail their ship in this edition. The bowling all-rounder from Sri Lanka was bought for INR 50 lakh by RCB ahead of the IPL 2020 auction.

Udana has emerged as one of the exciting players in the shorter format in the last couple of years. Having represented Sri Lanka in the limited-overs, Udana’s variety and changes in pace might solve the death overs’ riddle for RCB. His excellent use of slower balls, including one out of the back of his hand, makes him a lethal weapon to have for captain Kohli. In 135 T20s, 32-year-old Udana has scalped 145 wickets including 2 four-wicket hauls.

2. Jasprit Bumrah – Mumbai Indians

Not a single individual would raise his finger to argue that Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s go-to option in death overs for the past couple of years. An unorthodox action couple with precision and pace makes Bumrah one of the most dangerous bowlers of the modern era.

Precision is the key for the Ahmedabad-born pacer as Bumrah is known for his lethal toe-crushing yorkers. The 26-year-old has been a vital part of the MI setup and his exemplary record rightly proves his worth. He was a teenager when he joined but now has evolved into a modern-day great.

Bowling alongside Lasith Malinga has helped Bumrah to learn the art of bowling in death overs. In 77 IPL games, Bumrah has scalped 82 wickets at an economy of 7.55, with best figures of 3/7.

3. Deepak Chahar – Chennai Super Kings

After spending his time in the Rising Pune Supergiant dugout for a couple of years, Deepak Chahar was bought by the MS Dhoni-led CSK in the IPL 2018 auction. Since then, Chahar’s career has witnessed considerable growth.

In his first IPL season with the Chennai franchise, Chahal turned heads by plucking 10 wickets. He elevated his performance even more in the subsequent season, adding 22 wickets to his name. Chahar was the highest wicket-taking Indian bowler, which also helped him pave his way to India’s T20 setup.

Along with scalping wickets, Chahal is also known for doing an excellent job in curbing the run flow. No Indian can forget Chahar’s rampage against Bangladesh last year, where he derailed the Tigers by taking a six wicket-haul, including a hat-trick. He registered impressive bowling figures of 6/7, the best by a bowler in T20 international cricket Due to his performances in the last two years, Chahar will be a dependable choice for Dhoni on the UAE soil.

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s career has been hampered by a series of injuries in recent times. He didn’t have a perfect start to 2020 as he had to undergo a sports hernia surgery in January. Eager to brace the field and decimate the batsmen with his swinging ability, Bhuvneshwar will be a vital cog in SRH’s bowling expeditions.

30-year-old Bhuvneshwar is anticipated to play a crucial role in SRH’s title heist on UAE surfaces. He was also a part of India’s squad when they were slated to face South Africa in an ODI encounter at Dharamsala in March. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the series to be called off for the safety of the players.

The Meerut-born pacer, in 117 IPL matches, has picked up 133 wickets at an impressive strike-rate of 19.63. Itching to prove his worth and mark his return to the sport, Bhuvneshwar will be hoping to grab some headlines with his bowling performances this season.

5. Jofra Archer – Rajasthan Royals

Barbados-born Jofra Archer pacer never grabs a chance to hogg the headlines. He was recently in news for breaching the biosecurity protocol after the first Test against West Indies. Questions were also raised over a dip in his form and the injuries which he has been suffering.

Keeping the controversies at bay, there’s no denial about Archer’s bowling ability. A fast bowler with a high action capable of speeds above 90mph can certainly prove lethal on the UAE tracks. Archer could miss the first few games for the Royals as Australia will be touring England for a short limited-overs series.

However, the Rajasthan franchise will depend on the England international. Archer’s first appearance in the IPL was in 2018 when Rajasthan secured his services for an amount of INR 7.2 crores. In 21 matches, the speedster has bagged 26 scalps at an economy rate of 7.52– something which he’ll try to replicate this year too.

6. Pat Cummins – Kolkata Knight Riders

Australian quick Pat Cummins had already hogged the headlines in the IPL 2020 auction when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) splurged a staggering 15.5 crore on him, making the pacer the most expensive foreign buy ever at IPL players’ auction.

KKR, after missing the playoffs last season, will be hopeful for Cummins to sail them in the knockouts in the UAE this year. The Dinesh Karthik-led outfit has failed to clinch the trophy since 2014. Having represented Australia in all formats of the game, Cummins is a vital cog of his national side due to his blistering pace.

The No.1 Test bowler will be eager to finish among the leading wicket-takers this season. Barring injuries, Cummins holds the potential to uproot any batting force with his scintillating pace. In 16 IPL matches, Cummins has scalped 17 wickets with best figures of 2/20. Considering his skill and standard, Cummins will be itching to boost his record in the cash-rich league this year.

7. Kagiso Rabada – Delhi Capitals

South African quick Kagiso Rabada was doubtful to ply his trade if the IPL 2020 had begun in March. Owing to a groin tear, it looked like Delhi Capitals will miss the speedster’s services. However, with the postponement of the cash-rich league, Rabada is all set to weave his magic in the UAE and try to replicate his previous season’s performance.

Rabada had a productive season last year as he took 25 wickets from 12 games for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2019. Rabada is armed with the ability to swing the ball conventionally, along with making excellent use of his pace-generating ability. At such a young age, he has already emerged as a vital cog of his national side.

The young tearaway is anticipated to do the job in death overs for DC in this season too. In 18 IPL games so far, Rabada has scalped 31 wickets at an impressive average of 17.93. The 25-year-old also has 2 four-wicket hauls under his belt. The young and reinforced Capitals squad, led by Shreyas Iyer, is expected to do wonders and clinch their first-ever IPL title on the UAE soil.

8. Mohammed Shami – Kings XI Punjab

Mohammed Shami’s career has witnessed exemplary growth in the past couple of years. The speedster’s pace and accuracy have made him an integral part of India’s bowling setup. With KL Rahul at the helm this season, Shami is expected to do the job in the latter overs for the Punjab franchise.

KXIP boast an impressive record in the UAE, having won five out of five matches in the IPL 2014. They will be hoping to deliver a similar performance this season too and increase the possibility of them clinching the silverware.

Shami, who consistently bowls around the 140 to 145 kmph mark, will play a key role in Punjab’s expeditions in the UAE conditions. Shami’s forte to swing and seam the ball at a significant pace will make him a lethal weapon in IPL 2020.

Having regained mojo in white-ball cricket, Shami will play a crucial role in KXIP’s maiden title heist. In 51 IPL games, 29-year-old Shami has picked up 40 wickets with best figures of 3/21. He is expected to lead the KXIP bowling force and capitalize on the UAE conditions.