IPL 2019: One player from each team who might be the leading wicket-taker

In a format where the batsmen often steal all the limelight, no one can deny the importance of a good bowling unit. One of the reasons for the dismal performance of teams like Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore last year was the lackluster performance of their weak bowling-attacks. On the other hand, the Sunrisers Hyderabad's strong show was attributed to their bowlers’ ability to defend low totals.

Also, wicket-taking bowlers are absolutely vital for a team's success. The highest wicket-taker of the season is awarded the Purple Cap.

Here is the list of the Purple Cap holders of each year.

2008 - Sohail Tanvir (RR)

2009 - RP Singh (DC)

2010 - Pragyan Ojha (DC)

2011 - Lasith Malinga (MI)

2012 - Morne Morkel (DD)

2013 - Dwayne Bravo (CSK)

2014 - Mohit Sharma (CSK)

2015 - Dwayne Bravo (CSK)

2016 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH)

2017 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH)

2018 - Andrew Tye (KXIP)

We will look at one player from each team who might be the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2019.

#8 Chennai Superkings - Shardul Thakur

Thakur was CSK's highest wicket-taker in 2018

Even though CSK is filled with superstars of world cricket, their bowling is relatively inexperienced. Players like Dwyane Bravo and Harbhajan Singh aren't at their prime and thus the young Indian bowlers have to shoulder the responsibility of leading the bowling attack.

One bowler who did a decent job of taking wickets in the Indian Premier League last year was Shardul Thakur. Even though the Mumbai lad leaked runs at an economy of 9.23 runs per over, he managed to take 16 wickets, which was the highest by any CSK bowler in IPL 2018. He was also the only CSK bowler to feature in the top ten wicket-takers list of the 11th season.

Despite not being part of the Indian team for some time now, Thakur will be keen to put up a good performance in IPL 2019.

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#7 Rajasthan Royals - Jaydev Unadkat

Can Unadkat deliver this year ?

Jaydev Unadkat had a forgettable IPL 2018 where, despite being the most expensive player at the auction, he picked up just 11 wickets in 15 matches while giving away runs at a high economy of 9.65. The Royals released him ahead of the 2019 IPL auction but bought him back at a staggering amount of 8.40 crore.

This shows the faith that the Royals' team management has in the Saurashtra pacer and they do have a reason for the faith shown. Unadkat was instrumental in the Rising Pune Supergiant's journey to the finals in IPL 2017.

The left-arm seamer is also one of the most experienced pacers in the domestic circuit and his years of experience of playing in Indian conditions will be key to the Royals' chances in IPL 2019. Also, Unadkat has been in rich vein of form playing for his domestic side Saurashtra as he took 16 wickets in just 8 Vijay Hazare matches in 2018.

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#6 Kings XI Punjab - Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Ashwin used Mujeeb in the powerplays

Mujeeb Ur Rahman had a sensational debut season for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2018. He was often used in the powerplays by captain Ravichandran Ashwin and the Afghan tweaker did the job for the captain most of the times.

The young Afghan played 11 matches for the Kings in the IPL season last year where he took 14 wickets, which included the wickets of players like Virat Kohli. The most stunning part of his performance was his economy rate of 6.99, which was commendable considering the fact that he bowled with the new ball.

Mujeeb has performed brilliantly for his national side as well as in the Big Bash League in Australia. Afghanistan players are most likely to be available for the entire IPL 2019 season, thus increasing the chances for Mujeeb to become the highest wicket-taker of the season.

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#5 Delhi Capitals - Trent Boult

Boult was sensational for Daredevils

In the absence of Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris, both of whom missed the majority of matches in IPL 2018 due to injuries, Trent Boult led the Delhi Daredevils' bowling-attack quite well. The Kiwi pacer took 18 wickets in 14 matches in IPL 2018 and was Shreyas Iyer's go-to man.

Boult was exceptional with both the new ball as well as with the old ball and ended the tournament as the joint 5th highest wicket-taker of the season, along with Hardik Pandya.

The left-arm quick has been in good form for the Blackcaps of late and Delhi Capitals, who were previously called Delhi Daredevils, will expect him to extend that form in IPL 2019 too. Also, South African players will not be available for the entire season this time as well and thus Boult will have to lead the Delhi Capitals' bowling-attack once again.

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#4 Kolkata Knight Riders - Kuldeep Yadav

KKR relies heavily on Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav is undoubtedly currently one of the best wrist spinners in the world. The Chinaman had a sensational 2018 and performed exceedingly well for Team India. And interestingly, most of these games where he shined were played away from home which is the testimony of his talent. He bamboozled strong ODI teams like South Africa, England, and Australia in their own backyard.

Kuldeep has been a key member of his IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders too. KKR have traditionally been a spinner-heavy team and they have relied heavily on the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine to deliver the goods.

Even though he hasn't won the Purple Cap yet, with the kind of form he has been in, it won't be a surprise if he wins the first Purple cap of his IPL career.

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#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal is Kohli's goto man in the IPL

Kuldeep Yadav's partner in crime Yuzvendra Chahal will also be in contention for the Purple cap this season.

Chahal has been a consistent performer for Royal Challengers Bangalore since he joined the franchise in 2014. The wrist spinner has taken 82 wickets in the 69 matches he has played for the team and is now the team's senior-most bowlers.

The 28-year-old did not have the best of seasons in IPL 2018 where he took just 12 wickets in 14 matches. However, his economy rate of 7.26 runs per over is proof that he still managed to strangle the opposition batsmen in the middle overs. Like Kuldeep, Chahal has been in spectacular form for Team India and RCB will look up to their premier bowler to deliver the goods in IPL 2019. Chahal will also want to improve his performance from last year.

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#2 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvi missed a lot of matches last season due to back injury

One Indian bowler who reinvented himself in the Indian Premier Leauge is Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvi, who was considered to be a new ball bowler, transformed his game brilliantly and added variety to his bowling. Since his time in Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Indian pacer has worked hard on his death bowling and added yorkers and knuckle-ball to his repertoire.

He also used these variations while playing for Team India and has been an integral part of the Indian limited-overss sides for the past couple of years.

Unfortunately, he struggled with a back injury last season and wasn't at his best. But the right-arm seamer seems to have gained full fitness and is rearing to go in IPL 2019. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had previously won the Purple cap consecutively in 2016 and 2017 and will surely be in the running to win it for a record third time.

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#1 Mumbai Indians - Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah has not won the Purple Cap even once

Jasprit Bumrah shot into prominence after his IPL exploits for the Mumbai Indians. From being a raw talent with an unorthodox bowling action, Bumrah has become one of the most fearsome and consistent fast bowlers of the world.

Bumrah has annihilated batting line-ups around the world with his pinpoint yorkers. He has also been a star performer for the Mumbai Indians over the years and is now the leader of their bowling attack. But surprisingly, the pace sensation is yet to a win the Purple Cap.

He has taken 63 wickets in 61 matches for the Mumbai Indians so far. Moreover, he has been simply outstanding in the last two seasons taking 20 and 17 wickets in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The 25-year-old's amazing run in international cricket surely makes him a huge contender for winning the Purple Cap in IPL 2019.

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