IPL 2020: Five bowlers expected to dominate UAE tracks
The wait of ardent fans to witness the T20 extravaganza – IPL 2020 – shall end soon as the tournament will be held from September 19 to November 10 in the UAE. Due to a surge in coronavirus cases across the country, the BCCI was left with no option but to shift the cash-rich league to a different venue.
The pitches in UAE are lower and slower than the ones on which most IPL games are played across India, making it difficult for batsmen to smoke runs at a consistent rate. The nature of the pitches will benefit some teams more than the others and these few bowlers will certainly have a major impact in the Middle East country.
Here are five bowlers who can deliver match-winning spells in IPL 2020:
1. Sunil Narine
Touted to play the role of a pinch-hitter for Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunil Narine also possesses the ability to bamboozle the batsmen with his variations. The Caribbean star, in the 2014 UAE leg of the IPL, was the most successful bowler as he scalped 9 wickets at an impressive economy of 5.4 along with picking a four-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians.
Along with his batting antics, the ‘mystery spinner’ is expected to play a key role in KKR’s title heist. He will be trusted for providing the Dinesh Karthik-led side with essential breakthroughs. Having vast experience under his belt, Narine has featured in 110 IPL games and has scalped 122 wickets.
2. Yuzvendra Chahal
One of the most active cricketers on social media amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Yuzvendra Chahal will play a vital role in RCB’s plans to clinch their first-ever title this season. Since signing for the Bangalore franchise, Chahal has developed as skipper Virat Kohli’s go-to bowler.
The leg-spinner, who has more than 100 IPL scalps to his name, will undoubtedly deliver with the ball on UAE wickets. RCB has struggled with their poor bowling attack and Chahal might emerge as their solution.
3. Deepak Chahar
Many bowlers have flourished under the leadership of MS Dhoni with Deepak Chahar being one of them. 2019 was a memorable year for the pacer as he delivered a scintillating 6/7 spell against Bangladesh to steer India to the triumph. In 34 IPL matches, he has scalped 33 wickets at an average of 26.52 and a strike rate of 20.85. Along with the likes of Dwayne Bravo and Shardul Thakur, Chahar is expected to leave his mark in UAE conditions.
4. Rashid Khan
Afghanistan star Rashid Khan was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2017 IPL auction for a sum of INR 4 crores and the rest is history. Combining leg-spin with his riveting pace, Rashid has uprooted many batting attacks.
The Hyderabad franchise will be banking on Rashid to do the job on UAE wickets too. Rashid’s journey in the IPL has been impressive as the leg-spinner has scalped 55 wickets in 46 matches with best figures of 3/19.
5. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah, undeniably, has emerged as one of the best death overs bowlers in the shortest format of the sport. Equipped with the ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers with immaculate accuracy, Bumrah will be Rohit Sharma’s go-to man on the UAE soil.
In 77 IPL games, Bumrah has scalped 82 wickets with best figures of 3/7, making him one of the best finds of the tournament.
