Top 10 leading wicket-takers in T20Is in 2016

The year 2016 began with a bevvy of T20 matches. First, there was the slippery affair of the World T20 played in India for the first time. The Indians might have won the first World T20, but they haven’t won it since. In spite of that, MS Dhoni and his men gave a decent account of themselves in the tournament.

While the tournament was won by the West Indies, this list will go on to prove that the Asian players have been playing the bulk of the T20 matches in recent times as well as the fact that they have also been playing in familiar conditions as well. That said, here are the top 10 leading wicket-takers in T20Is in the year 2016.

10. Mitchell Santner – 15 wickets:

Mitchell Santner is from the few left-arm spinners who can take wickets and make life difficult for the batsmen in the shorter formats as well. In New Zealand’s tour of India succeeding the World T20, Santner was perhaps one of the only few bowlers who was able to guarantee wickets for the opposition. This meant that the 25-year-old was a supremely important part of the side and still is when it comes to T20Is as well.

In 2016, Santner has a similar record to that of his predecessor Imran Tahir wherein he has 15 wickets in 9 matches, meaning he just about finds himself in the top 10 ahead of Imad Wasim. What has been a feature of Santner’s form has been the fact that he has conceded just the 6.23 runs per over, something that is extremely impressive in the current situation.

9. Imran Tahir – 16 wickets:

At 35, it would seem as though South African Imran Tahir has seemingly fallen off the pace quite a bit. However, when it comes to bowling maidens and getting wickets at regular intervals, it seems quite clear that Tahir remains to be the man for the job. Moreover, the fact of the matter also remains that he is one of the most economical bowlers in Test match cricket at the moment.

Having played just the 9 T20I matches in the calendar year, Tahir boasts of 16 wickets and has conceded just the 235 runs, thereby making his economy rate slightly lesser than seven runs an over. This would ensure that Tahir keeps his place in the side for the next few years to come at the very least.

8. Mustafizur Rahman – 16 wickets

Mustafizur Rahman has been a sensation in Bangladesh for almost a year. However, the 21-year-old has been shielded quite a bit by his board as well as the fact that he has been injured quite a bit given the fiery pace he bowls at, something that is certainly impressive at his age, to say the least. Moreover, he has a wonderful and well-disguised slower delivery, which makes his skill set even more impressive.

The ‘Fizz’ as he is fondly known has played just the 8 T20Is in 2016 and one must certainly commend him for the 16 wickets he has taken. What’s more is the fact that he has the best economy rate in the current list at 6.12, something that makes him a prospect to become the best in the world in a few months.

7. Ravindra Jadeja – 17 wickets:

No list of bowlers concludes without the presence of Ravindra Jadeja. Moreover, given the kind of year Jadeja has had, it is quite surprising that he finds himself as low as he is on the table. The southpaw’s arm-ball is an impressive weapon and was helped him pick his career best figures of 7/48 in the final Test at Chepauk.

When it comes to containing the opposition, it is clear that MS Dhoni turns to Jadeja to provide this and get through the overs as soon as possible. In 2016, Jadeja boasted of 17 wickets in as many T20Is including a maiden over, something that does not happen all that often.

6. James Faulkner – 17 wickets

When James Faulkner came onto the scene, the southpaw brought with him the art of death bowling. His ability to bowl the slower delivery and deceive the batsmen has earned him a lot of wickets. His back of the hand delivery is also something that has been deemed world class.

Faulkner played 10 T20 internationals in 2016 and has impressed one and all with 17 wickets to his name. Of course, he did not make the impact he would have liked in the IPL, but the fact of the matter remains that he has managed some impressive performances in recent times. In addition, Faulkner he is handy with the bat as well.

5. Ashish Nehra – 18 wickets

India’s very own Dad’s Army was activated when they decided to recall an old horse in the form of Ashish Nehra. The 37-year-old has been in the stupendous form of late despite the injuries he has been able to delivery and that has a lot to do with the fantastic experience he boasts of. Moreover, the kind of pace Nehra clocks despite his age is also extraordinary.

Nehra boasts of 18 wickets in the year after having played 15 matches, a bulk of which came on the tour of Australia, the Asia Cup T20, and the World T20. However, the challenge as far as the left-arm pacer would be concerned is certainly keeping fit and healthy.

4. Shakib Al Hasan – 20 wickets

Another Bangladeshi player who finds himself as a part of this list is Shakib Al Hasan. The southpaw has impressed for the best part of his role as a balancing all-rounder for the Bangladesh cricket team. His impressive numbers with both bat and ball make it absolutely no surprise that he finds himself on this particular list of top bowlers of 2016 as well.

Shakib boasts of 20 wickets in the year having played 16 T20 internationals in the year. With a decent economy rate of 7.40 to his name. He will certainly be an important yet central figure for the Bangladesh players in the future.

3. Al-Amin Hossain – 22 wickets

While there have been injuries to the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and the unfortunate ban to Taskin Ahmed, most of the bowling in the limited-overs’ scene has come from Al-Amin Hossain. The young pacer has also had a terrific year and has also starred in some of Bangladesh’s impressive wins in recent times. He is also at times the unsung hero of the ordeal when it comes to securing those wins over valiant oppositions.

Hossain is one wicket behind India’s Ravi Ashwin with an impressive total of 22 wickets to his name in just the 14 matches he took part in. However, should the Bangladesh pace attack be restored to its original brilliance, it would seem quite clear that Hossain will be a part of it.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin – 23 wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin has had a tremendous year in 2016. Of course, all of it has not been bells and whistles, but he has been one of the standout performers with not only the bat but also with the ball. While the 30-year-old off-spinner has added a couple of ICC awards to his kitty, his staggering amassing of 72 scalps in just 17 Test matches is quite extraordinary.

Moreover, his batting has also been a hallmark, something that has put him at the forefront of the ICC’s all-rounder’s list as well. However, in T20 internationals, he is 5 wickets behind his teammate Jasprit Bumrah with 23 wickets to his name. Only Rashid Khan from Afghanistan has as many wickets as Ashwin in the calendar year.

1. Jasprit Bumrah – 28 wickets

It was in late 2015 that Jasprit Bumrah was even considered to be a part of the Indian setup. In spite of an unusual action, Bumrah was impressive from the time he made his debut alongside Hardik Pandya. However, little did anyone realise what exactly the 23-year-old was capable of when he began to bowl in the World T20 late that year.

Bumrah has 28 wickets to his name, but there is much more to this than just numbers. He bowls extremely tight lines and lengths and has a terrific yorker, something that makes him a death-bowling specialist as well. India will certainly be hoping that he comes good and remains injury-free for the years to come.