It has been one of those bizarre seasons where not even a single bowler managed to pick up 20 wickets in the league stage. This is something that doesn’t happen often. However, as well know, they win you matches. A T20 side with the best bowling attack is always a dangerous outfit. So as we go into the playoffs, who are the bowlers we can bank upon to fetch us points in the fantasy? Here’s an analysis:
Praveen Kumar
The Gujarat Lions spearhead might have picked only nine wickets in this tournament but his performances at crucial junctures helped his team. He bowled with the new ball and at the death to deny the opposition vital runs. And he will have to bring out his best against the Royal Challengers in the first qualifier. If he can have a good outing, his team can breathe a little easy.
Initially looked at upon as a new ball bowler, Praveen Kumar has also added some variations to his bowling to become an excellent bowler at the death. He will cost you 6000 rupees.
Dhawal Kulkarni
With 14 wickets to his name, Dhawal Kulkarni is one of the leading wicket-takers in this year’s edition. He has been mightily effective with the new ball moving it both ways and denting the opposition right at the start. He can go for a few though at the death even though he has some variations.
Kulkarni costs 6000 rupees in the fantasy like Praveen but you may not want to take both these bowlers for the first game since it is an absolute batting paradise and the fact that they will be up against one of the most intimidating batting line-ups we have ever seen. But he is certainly an option in their next game.
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Yuzvendra Chahal
The leg-spinner is yet again back amongst the wickets. He had a torrid time at the start of the tournament with many people wondering if his previous performances were just a flash in a pan. But he came strongly in the second half of the season and went on to become the leading wicket-taker this year.
With 19 wickets in just 11 matches, Chahal averages a stunning 17 with the ball this season. He will cost you 7000 rupees but the money is totally worth it. More importantly, he knows how to bowl at the Chinnaswamy batting paradise and with the first qualifier and final slated to be held over there, Chahal is a must in your team.
Sreenath Aravind
Royal Challengers were facing a huge issue ahead of their turnaround when they were languishing at the bottom. They badly needed a reliable Indian seamer. The likes of Varun Aaron and Harshal Patel were taken to the cleaners regularly and that’s when Aravind stepped up.
In seven games this season, the left-arm seamer has picked up 9 wickets and more often than not, he has struck with the new ball. The fact that is available for 4500 rupees in the fantasy is a huge bonus. Keep a close eye on him in the playoffs.
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Chris Jordan
The English seamer came in with huge shoes to fill. He was looked at upon as RCB’s messiah since they badly needed someone at the death to deliver but to everyone’s surprise, he wasn’t spared by the opposition as he conceded plenty of runs in the first few games he played.
But then slowly, he started to rediscover his mojo and is now one of the vital cogs in that bowling line-up which has gone from one of the weakest in the tournament to one of the most reliable ones. Considering he bowls at the death, if it’s one of your lucky days, he is going to end up with loads of wickets. He is much cheaper at 4000 rupees.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
He finished second on the purple cup list post the league stages and without a doubt, he has been the best Indian seamer in this year’s IPL. Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivers with the new ball and he also delivers at the death with his inch perfect Yorkers and variations. Consistency has been the key feature in his bowling as he manages to pick up one or two wickets at a decent economy in almost every single game.
He has picked up 18 wickets in the tournament so far at an average of just 23. He had a good outing against the Knight Riders in his side’s last league and considering he will be up against them yet again in the playoffs, go for him.
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Mustafizur Rahman
One of those players you must definitely have in your fantasy team irrespective of the opposition, conditions etc. Mustafizur Rahman has not disappointed anyone in his first ever IPL season and his presence is one of the main reasons behind SRH earning the tag of possessing the best bowling line-up.
His variations have been tough to handle for some of the young Indian batsmen and the overseas players since a few of them haven’t played against him before. His economy is just 6.7 in the tournament which is astounding.
Barinder Sran
Now here’s a bargain buy. With 12 wickets to his name, Barinder Sran has reveled in the presence of Bhuvneshwar, Mustafizur and Ashish Nehra this season. With the veteran left-arm seamer ruled out, the onus has been on Barindar to step up more.
He could keep fetching those wickets and earn you plenty of points if the batsmen look to play out Mustafizur and target him instead. He costs just 3000 rupees thus enabling you to spend more on other areas.
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Kuldeep Yadav
Despite Piyush Chawla’s success, the Knight Riders management opted for Kuldeep in the crucial game against the Sunrisers and the move paid off. Kuldeep picked two crucial wickets conceding just 28 runs. He is likely to retain his spot ahead of Chawla and hence can feature in your team.
The left-arm spinner also costs just 4500 rupees which will help you acquire the services of someone like Andre Russell who will cost 10,000 in the fantasy.
Sunil Narine
Is he back to his best? Has he rediscovered his mojo? We are not sure about it but one thing is clear, he is certainly effective again! Sunil Narine has been pretty good in the last few games and he had a very good outing in the previous game where he ended up with three wickets including that of David Warner.
Given his reputation, he will cost you 7500 rupees in the fantasy but you should still keep an eye on him while picking your squad for the Knight Riders game.
DISCLAIMER: The article just contains suggestions and Sportskeeda are not responsible or liable for the outcome.
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