Flashback: Top five bowling spells of IPL 2020
The modern-day game is heavily tilted in favour of the batsmen. Heavy bats, fielding restrictions and shorter boundaries have made things tough for the bowlers. Unsurprisingly, high-scoring games have become common these days. But time and again, we have seen bowlers showcasing their skills to make a mark. One can expect similar exploits from the bowlers in the upcoming season of the IPL. And before the season gets underway, let us take a look at the five best spells of IPL 2020.
5. Jasprit Bumrah – 4/20 vs Rajasthan Royals:
At No.5 in our list is Jasprit Bumrah’s spell against Rajasthan Royals where he picked up 4 wickets while giving away just 20 runs off his four overs. Batting first, Mumbai Indians scored 193 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the Rajasthan Royals were shot out for just 136, as the Mumbai outfit won the match by 57 runs. Bumrah was the star with the ball for Mumbai. He first dismissed Royal’ skipper Steve Smith before accounting for the dangerous Rahul Tewatia. Towards the end, Bumrah dismissed Jofra Archer and Shreyas Gopal to cap off a fine night for himself and his team.
4. Lockie Ferguson – 3/15 & (2/2 in super over) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad:
Kolkata Knight Riders’ pacer Lockie Ferguson bags 4th place in the list for his stunning display against Sunrisers Hyderabad. It was KKR’s 9th match of the season and Ferguson’s first and he made an instant impact by starring with the ball in his team’s thrilling win. He bowled a total of 27 deliveries in the match, picked up 5 wickets, including 2 in the super over and gave away just 17 runs. In the super over, he conceded just two runs. Before his introduction, the SRH openers were cruising at 58/0 after 6 overs in their chase of 164. He dismissed Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey and Priyam Garg as the match headed for a tie. The New Zealand star then bowled the most economical Super Over score in IPL history to guide his team to a win.
3. Rashid Khan – 3/7 vs Delhi Capitals:
Sunrisers Hyderabad spin spearhead Rashid Khan is third in this list for his spell of 3 wickets for 7 runs against Delhi Capitals. It was the most economical spell of IPL 2020 and the most economical 3-plus wicket haul in IPL history. It was a must-win clash for SRH and they did well with the bat as they put up a gargantuan total of 219 for 2 in the allotted 20 overs. Rashid then led the charge with the ball to help SRH bowl out DC for just 131. The leg-spinner bowled 17 dot balls during his spell. At the end of his spell, Delhi was struggling at 83/6 after 13 overs.
2. Mohammed Siraj – 3/8 vs Kolkata Knight Riders:
At number two in this list is Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Mohammed Siraj for his spell of 3 for 8 against Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite Siraj’s poor form at that time, Virat Kohli gave him the responsibility of bowling in the powerplay and the pacer didn’t disappoint. He dismissed Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana and Tom Banton without conceding a single run in his first two overs and became the first player ever to bowl two maiden overs in one IPL match. Siraj finished his spell in the Powerplay with figures of 3/2, and returned to bowl one over at the death, in which he conceded six singles. KKR could only score 84/8 in 20 overs as RCB romped home with 8 wickets to spare.
1. Varun Chakravarthy – 5/20 vs Delhi Capitals:
Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakravarthy grabs the top spot in this list for his spell of 5 for 20 against Delhi Capitals. It was the only five-wicket haul of IPL 2020 and only the 21st in IPL history. Chasing 195, the Delhi Capitals were cruising at 76 for 2 in the 12th over when Varun dismissed Rishabh Pant to take his first wicket. He then sent back Shimron Hetmyer and Shreyas Iyer off consecutive deliveries to leave the Delhi Capitals reeling at 95 for 5. Later, he accounted for Axar Patel and Marcus Stoinis too, as Delhi ended their innings with the scorecard reading 135 for 9.
