IPL 2018: 5 Bowlers who can be used as an Opener

In the 11 seasons of the IPL, there have been many occasions where some of the lower order batsmen are sent up the order as pinch hitters. Sunil Narine is doing it for KKR currently. All the teams want to maximize the advantage of the fielding restrictions and score as many runs as possible in the powerplay. The lower order batsmen don’t really get a chance to bat and so they are wasted down the order. It won’t really matter even if they lose their wicket pretty quickly. Here are 5 bowlers who can be considered to open the batting as a pinch hitter.

5. Mitchell McClenaghan (MI)

Mitchell McClenaghan has been used as a pinch hitter by the previous Mumbai coach – Ricky Ponting. When MI was chasing 188 against KKR in 2016 Ricky Ponting sent in McClenaghan at No.4 to hit some sixes and he definitely did the job. He scored a 20 off just 9 balls and bought the required run rate down. He definitely has the power to clear the fence pretty easily. He has a strike rate of 134.04 in the IPL. Even if he gets out pretty quickly it wouldn’t matter as his batting is not used lower down the order. So, he can be an option for the Mumbai Indians if they want a really quick start in the powerplay.

4. Liam Plunkett (DD)

Liam Plunkett has played some decent cameos for England

Liam Plunkett has definitely had a great start to his IPL career as a bowler. But many wouldn’t that he can bat. He has an average of 20.64 in ODIs which tells us that he can do the job the bat. He is a strong lad and will be able to hit the ball a long way. He has all the power with him to hit it all the way. He has played some useful cameos for England in the limited overs formats. If he bats in the powerplay then he will be effective because the field is up and so it would it be easy for him to hit over the infield. DD are struggling to find a settled pair for the opening combination and so he it wouldn’t be any harm if somebody like a Liam Plunkett is tried at the top.

3. Jofra Archer (RR)

Jofra Archer has a strike rate of 137.96 in the BBL

Jofra Archer had a strike rate of 137.96 in the last season’s Big Bash League. The numbers suggest that he is more than capable with the bat. He is a fantastic bowler for any franchise and if he can give you some runs at the top then you can’t ask for anything more. In the last game against MI, he showed some glimpses of his batting. It would be a great chance for him to bat up the order as he will be able to play freely and go for the shots from ball one. RR hasn’t found a perfect partner for Ajinkya Rahane and so they can try Jofra Archer up the order.

2. Harbhajan Singh (CSK)

Harbhajan Singh once scored 64 off 24 balls for MI against KXIP

Harbhajan Singh has 2 Test Hundreds to his name. We all know that he is an entertainer with the bat. He can hit some great shots and clear the fence. He has been used as a pinch hitter by Mumbai Indians in the IPL on quite a few occasions. He has batted at No.3 on 4 occasions in the IPL. Even in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy he batted at No.3 for Punjab and played some good knocks. He will definitely be helped by the powerplay if he opens. He had once scored 64 off 24 balls for MI against KXIP. CSK’s opening combination looks pretty settled but still, Harbhajan can be used as a surprise element in the latter stages of the tournament.

1. Rashid Khan (SRH)

Rashid Khan has a strike rate of 147.83 in the IPL

Rashid Khan’s first scoring shot in the IPL and even in the BBL was a six. In the game against CSK, Rashid smashed 17 off 4 deliveries and almost won the game for SRH. Rashid can definitely use the long handle. He has a strike rate of 147.83 in the IPL. He is currently one of the greats when to comes to bowling in this format but if he starts batting at the top of the order then he will double his value in the side. SRH are struggling with the bat this season and hence are getting low scores at the end. If Rashid is sent up the order and if he fires he will give the momentum to the batting which a side needs in this format. It would be fun to watch if Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan both open in the same game but for opposite sides.