IPL 2018: One bowler from each team who have made an impact

With the sporting extravaganza IPL underway, bowlers have played a key role in the tournament so far. A lot of matches have gone down to the wire and credit must go to the bowlers who have made that happen. We have seen some remarkable bowling performances in the tournament so far. In IPL 2018, Death bowling, in particular, has been exquisite. Both pacers and spinners have delivered some fantastic spells.

Though the talent pool is filled with worthy bowlers, these eight bowlers are indispensable for their respective team. Let us find out more about these skilled men?

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#1 Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Sunil Narine, the right-arm mystery spin bowler, has been performing consistently for his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders since his inclusion in the side in 2012. Continuing his exploits with the ball, he is incessantly bowling economical spells in the ongoing tournament. In the last six matches that KKR played, Narine had performed well in all the matches. By the virtue of his performance in the ongoing tournament, the ranks seventh on the most wicket taking bowlers list.

Narine has kept the trust of his franchise KKR in high regard due to his consistent superlative performance both with the bat and ball. Due to allegations of a suspect action in recent times, Narine had to change his bowling action. Nevertheless, he bounced back being more lethal than before. KKR always counts on Narine to deliver match-winning performance with his imperious bowling.

#2 Ravichandran Ashwin (Kings XI Punjab)

Ravichandran Ashwin, being a seasoned Indian bowler, was awarded the additional responsibility of leading the Kings XI Punjab. His consistent heroics with the ball and his smart cricketing moves have spiraled his promotion to the role of the captain. Off-late, he has added a new weapon to his arsenal viz. leg spin, to bring more variety to his bowling.

Ashwin has been toying with the batsman with his off-breaks and carrom ball. Capitalising on his ability to read a batsman, has instilled in him a lethal bowler. His record in IPL speaks about his ability in the shorter format of the game. He is the second most economical bowler in the IPL history.

The knack of taking wickets and keeping batsman under restrains has been the hallmark of Ashwin. He has had a good outing in the IPL so far. Kings XI Punjab will look forward to Ashwin to deliver match-winning spells going forward in the tournament.

#3 Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

One of the youngest players featuring in the current IPL season, Rashid Khan is a promising young talent. Rashid plays for the Afghanistan Cricket Team and was picked by the Sunrisers Hyderabad at a staggering price of Rs. 9 crore. Breaking records had been his way of making a statement since making his debut for his national side.

He recently broke the world record held by Mitchell Starc of Australia by being the quickest bowler to claim 100 ODI wickets. He achieved the feat in a record span of mere 44 matches. In the ongoing IPL, he incessantly bothers the opposition batsman with his wrist spin.

Wrist spin being his forte has prevailed in him an ominous bowler. Rashid's bowling figures in the IPL proves his worth with the ball. He ranks fifth on the Purple Cap List having scalped nine wickets in the seven matches. Sunrisers Hyderabad will look up to him to deliver sublime performances, going forward in the tournament.

#4 Mayank Markande (Mumbai Indians)

Mayank Markande in action against Chennai SuperKings.

Mayank Markande a right-arm leg-break bowler playing for Mumbai Indians is a treat to watch. Markande made a remarkable debut against Chennai Super Kings. In the opening match against Chennai Super Kings Markande put up an impressive bowling performance. He returned with figures of 3/23 and took the prized wicket of MS Dhoni.

Markande unleashed his bowling prowess against the Sunrisers Hyderabad too, grabbing four wickets, conceding just 23 runs. Courtesy his superlative performance, he is now the proud owner of the Purple Cap. He has taken 10 wickets in six matches that he has played. With his variation and bowling skill, Markande holds promise to produce some outstanding performances in the ongoing IPL. Mumbai Indians will bet on this young talent, to bounce back in the tournament.

#5 Umesh Yadav (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Royal Challengers Bangalore's pace attack is currently spearheaded by the right-arm fast bowler Umesh Yadav. Umesh is known for bowling ferocious spells in the international circuit. With his ability to constantly hit the deck hard with speeds of over 140 km/hr, he is known to make life miserable for the batsman. He also wields the ferocious bouncer in his arsenal and has the ability to move the ball both ways. The ongoing IPL is a witness of some fine bowling performances that Umesh has delivered. He has led the RCB bowling attack from the front with his impeccable bowling.

By virtue of his performance, Umesh Yadav ranks third on the Purple Cap List. He has scalped nine wickets from six matches. In the last match too, that RCB lost against Chennai Super Kings he returned with figures of 1/23. RCB will bet on Umesh to deliver some scintillating spells going forward in the tournament.

#6 Shardul Thakur (Chennai Super Kings)

Though Chennai SuperKings is laced with stars and legends, the young bowler Shardul Thakur has been a sparkling revelation. He has outdone the seniors of his own team when it comes to bowling performance. Shardul a right-arm fast bowler has packed quite a few punches in the IPL to keep his team at top of the points table.

Shardul has been delivering consistently with the white ball and virtue of his consistency he ranks tenth on the Purple Cap List. He has provided break-through for his team on eight instances in the five matches that he played. Going by his impressive performance CSK will expect more off Shardul to produce some spectacular bowling exploits.

#7 Trent Boult (Delhi Daredevils)

Like a lightning, he strikes the opposition batsman and bamboozles them with his speed and swing. Staying true to his name Trent Boult bowls lightning quick deliveries to keep the batsman on tenterhook. He has been the lone warrior for the Delhi Daredevils in this season. Having picked up nine wickets from the six matches that he played, Trent Boult is placed second on the list of most wicket taking bowlers list.

His variations with the white ball and his knack of taking wickets has made him a devastating bowler. He can bowl bouncers and yorkers at his will and can even bring into play the slower ball, making it difficult for the batsman to read him. Delhi Daredevils will look forward to Boult to bounce back in the tournament.

#8 Shreyas Gopal (Rajasthan Royals)

Shreyas Gopal a leg-spinner was a little-known name until he arrived at the IPL. Within a short span of time Shreyas has captured the attention of many with his skillful bowling. Playing for Rajasthan Royals Shreyas has put up an impressive performance in the IPL so far. In the six matches that he has played he has produced five break-through for his team. However, his hallmark has been the frugality with which he has conceded runs.

He has kept the opposition batsman quite with his sharp leg-spin bowling. He turns the ball sharply and produces variation to make it difficult for the batsman to read him. Rajasthan Royals will need Shreyas to step up his performance to lift the team from the position they are in. Going forward Rajasthan will need more of Shreyas services to fancy their chances in the tournament.