'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The T20 format has always been the fortress of batsmen all over the world, and what better tournament to showcase that than the biggest T20 league in the world, Indian Premier League. Ever since the very first edition back in 2008, it has been the batsmen who have set the stage on fire with their weapon. However, over the years, bowlers have also climbed up the ladder to become the show stealers and MVPs of a number of seasons.
Ever since their first season in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been more famous for their stunning bowling lineup. Their premier fast bowler, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, is the only player to win the purple cap in consecutive seasons.
Although this season began with a few high scoring contests that showcased the talent of batsmen of all teams, the subsequent matches have seen plenty of low scoring encounters that have seen bowlers display their impeccable skills. Here are some of the best bowlers so far from this season of IPL.
#5 Umesh Yadav (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Before the start of this year's IPL, there were plenty of doubts regarding Umesh Yadav's form and fitness. However, the way he has performed so far in this edition, it is safe to say that the fast bowler is in the best form of his life and has been breathing fire against all opposition batsmen. Despite the dismal performance of his franchise, he has been one of the brightest spots in RCB lineup.
Umesh has played seven matches so far and has taken nine wickets in the tournament at an economy rate of 8.51. He currently sits at the joint fifth position with Andrew Tye on the highest wicket-takers' list. His double strike on the first two balls of the innings to remove Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan against Mumbai Indians was inarguably the best start for a bowling team in this IPL.
#4 Trent Boult (Delhi Daredevils)
Even though they have one of the strongest squads on paper, it won't be wrong to say that Delhi Daredevils are having a disappointing season. After losing 5 of their first 6 fixtures, the team went through a leadership change that worked for them as they managed to win their next match quite convincingly. However, ever during that dismal period of six matches, Trent Boult was fighting with other bowlers for the Purple cap.
Boult has featured in all seven matches for the franchise and has taken 11 wickets so far in the tournament, which is the joint highest along with our next entrant. Since Boult has a higher economy rate of 8.71, he sits second in the fight for the purple cap. Hence, it is safe to say that Trent Boult has done a wonderful job as the bowling spearhead of the team in the absence of Kagiso Rabada.
#3 Siddarth Kaul (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has won a plethora of matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous years with his flawless bowling at the beginning as well as the end of the innings. This time out, however, in the absence of Bhuvi, a new spearhead has emerged for the SRH and he is none other than Siddarth Kaul. Kaul has been so good this season that he has not let SRH even feel the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in their playing XI.
The rightful holder of the purple cap halfway through this season, Siddarth Kaul has taken 11 wickets so far in the 8 matches that he has played for SRH, which is the joint highest along with Trent Boult. However, because of his superior economy rate of just 6.87, he proudly sits on the top of the wicket-taking charts.
#2 Mayank Markande (Mumbai Indians)
Without any doubt the biggest surprise package of this season of IPL, Mayank Markande became an overnight sensation when he dismissed former Indian skipper MS Dhoni with an unplayable delivery in the opening fixture of 2018 IPL. However, he made sure that he is not remembered as a one-match sensation by performing exceptionally well in all the subsequent matches for Mumbai Indians.
The 20-year old from Punjab has featured in all seven matches for the Mumbai Indians so far and has taken 10 wickets, which is the joint 3rd highest in this season so far. He has traded the purple cap with various players in this season and is the only player who has taken two 3-wicket hauls at halfway point.
Although MI are drooling near the bottom of the table, Markande has shown all the skills to be a part of the Indian team in the near future.
#1 Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Who else but the top-ranked bowler in the world to be the best bowler of the biggest T20 league in the world? Despite being only 20-years old and having been on the international scene for only four years, the Afghan leggie has slowly developed into the toughest bowler to play on the planet and has been at his best in the first half of this year's IPL. In the absence of Bhuvi, Rashid has proudly led an exceptional SRH bowling lineup that has successfully defended two sub-par totals so far.
Rashid Khan has played eight matches in this season and has 10 wickets to his name at an economy rate of just 7.25. Even though his team-mate Siddarth Kaul has better stats than him, it is because of his ability to bowl in pressure situations that he is on the top of this list. He has bowled the most number of dots so far in this season and has two of the three most economical spells to his name, with his spell of 2/11 against Mumbai Indians easily one of the best spells in the history of IPL.
Honourable Mentions
Andrew Tye- Tye has been doing wonders for the Mohali-based franchise. The big Australian is joint 5th on the highest wicket-takers list, having taken 9 wickets in 7 matches at a respectable economy of 7.78.
Jasprit Bumrah- The top-ranked ODI bowler in the world has had a rather satisfying season so far as opposed to his team. In 7 matches, Bumrah has 8 wickets to his name at an exceptional economy of just 7.21.
Ankit Rajpoot- It won't be fair to not include the man who has taken the only 5-wicket haul of this season. Although he has played only 3 matches in this edition, he has taken 7 wickets at a superb economy of just 6.27.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
