IPL 2018: Wrist spinners from each IPL team

Wrist spinners are playing very important role in T20 cricket nowadays. The rise of Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal in limited overs international cricket shows the value of wrist spinners. Their performance kicked out the experienced spin duo of Ashwin-Jadeja in the ODI and T20 side of Indian team. Four out of top 10 T20I bowlers(Rashid Khan, Ish Sodhi, Imran Tahir, Samuel Badree) are wrist spinners. It shows the effectiveness of wrist spinners in modern day cricket.

As the 11th edition of IPL is going to kick-off in April, all the franchise would be looking forward to their wrist spinners to make impact to their team.

Here are all the wrist spinners from each IPL side on whom the teams would bank upon in the upcoming edition of IPL:

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Chennai Super Kings: Imran Tahir

Tahir has bagged 47 wickets from 32 matches in IPL

It was prominent that CSK was keen to have wrist spinner in their squad when they went hard to pick Piyush Chawla in the IPL auction. Later he bought back by KKR through RTM card. Later they picked Karn Sharma and Imran Tahir as well. It is obvious that one out of these two would be in the final XI. Even though former is an Indian spinner, Tahir has impressive record in IPL and he will be first choice in the playing XI.

In 32 matches he has played in IPL so far, he bagged 47 wickets which is hugely impressive in T20 cricket. His form in the ongoing PSL is unavoidable to mention where he grabbed hat-trick. His ability to strike often through his "wrong-un" and quick deliveries makes him the first choice wrist spinner for Chennai based franchisee.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Yuzvendra Chahal

RCB used RTM card for Chahal

There is no doubt that Chahal is one of the improved bowlers in international cricket in the last 12 months. Even before the auction, It was expected that RCB would use RTM to buy back Chahal as he was the premium spinner for them. They bought Washington Sundar this year which adds variety to their spin attack. Two indian spinners in the final XI will avoid the selection headache for Kohli.

Chahal has a very good IPL record of 70 wickets in 56 matches. He usually operates at middle overs and controls the flow of runs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is the No.1 bowler in the T20 cricket now

When SRH picked Rashid Khan in their squad last year, no one would have expected that he would become this much effective. Now he became No.1 bowler in the ICC T20I ranking. He is leading his country in the ongoing World Cup qualifier which shows how much he has grown in the international cricket. He is playing most of the T20 leagues in the world now and gained good experience in T20 cricket.

SRH used RTM card to buy Rashid Khan for Rs. 9 crores. He has picked 17 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 6.33 per over.

Mumbai Indians: Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar has played just 3 IPL games so far

A lesser known name who is waiting for opportunity to prove his talent, Rahul Chahar has played just 3 games so far and has taken just 2 wickets. He has been picked for Rs. 1.9 crore by Mumbai Indians and he is expected to be in the final XI for the defending champions this year as they are terribly short in the spin department.

Akila Dhananjaya is the another leading spinner in the team, but since he is overseas player, it will be difficult for him to find a place in the final XI, which makes Rahul Chahar almost a certainty in the Mumbai Indians playing XI.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav in the only left-arm wrist spinner in the list

Kuldeep Yadav is the only left-arm wrist spinner on the list and he had the experience of playing with another experienced left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg in IPL. Even though KKR has another wrist spinner Piyush Chawla in their squad, it is obvious that Kuldeep Yadav is key bowler for them. Adding Sunil Narine to the spin attack, KKR has the most exciting combination of spin bowling.

Yadav has taken 18 wickets in the 15 matches so far in the 2 seasons of IPL which he has played.

Kings XI Punjab: Pardeep Sahu

Pardeep Sahu already played for Kings XI

It is very unlikely that Pardeep Sahu will get a match to play for Kings XI this year, as they already have R Ashwin and Axar Patel in the team. In addition to them, Kings XI picked an Afghan spinner Mujeeb Rahman for Rs. 4 crore. So if a third spinner is needed in the XI, they would mostly go with the Afghan spinner. Sahu is expected to play only if they need some variety to the attack, as he is wrist spinner. He has the experience of playing for the Punjab based Franchisee.

Sahu played 5 matches so far in the IPL and he was not able to make much impact as he took just 3 wickets.

Delhi Daredevils: Amit Mishra

Amit Mishra has great IPL record

Mishra is the most experienced wrist spinner on the list. Having played all the seasons of IPL, Mishra has over 100 wickets and is one of the most consistent performers of IPL. Even though he is 35 now, he is still hungry for wickets. His wrong-uns are still hard to pick even for the best batsmen in the world. Bought by Daredevils for Rs. 4 crore, he is almost certain to feature in the final XI of Delhi based franchise. He also has the company of Shabhaz Nadeem, Jayant Yadav and Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane.

Mishra has taken 134 wickets in the 126 IPL matches at 7.41 economy per over.

Rajastan Royals: Shreyas Gopal

Shreyas Gopal is going to play for Rajasthan Royals.

Shreyas Gopal is going to play for Rajasthan Royals along with this Karnataka team-mate Krishnappa Gowtham with this year. In addition to his leg spin, Gopal can bat a bit which adds depth to RR's batting line-up. His bowling action is somewhat similiar to Anil Kumble. RR appointed Shane Warne as their mentor this year and it will help Gopal to improve his skills. It will be very interesting to see how many matches Gopal will get to play under Steve Smith.

Gopal has taken 7 wickets so far in 6 matches which he has played so far in the IPL.