IPL 2019: Powerplay bowling options for each team

Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah

IPL 2019 is less than a month away. The schedule for the first two weeks of the tournament is out and the defending champions Chennai Super Kings will play Royal Challengers Bangalore in the tournament opener on March 23 at Chepauk. Teams for the 12th edition of the tournament were finalised at the auction held in December.

Coming to the game, powerplay overs are key in a T20 game. More often than not, the first six overs of a T20 innings have a huge say in the outcome of the game. It is arguably the toughest period to bowl in a T20 game as batsmen try to take advantage of the field restrictions.

Some captains tend to start with spinners while others go the old fashioned way with pace and swing. It is important for the captains to be creative with their bowling options in the powerplay overs.

Here in this article, let's take a look at the powerplay bowling options for each team.


#8 Delhi Capitals

Morris holds the key for Delhi with the ball
Morris holds the key for Delhi with the ball

Delhi Capitals have arguably the most fearsome batting lineup in the tournament. They have made some shrewd buys in the auctions and Axar Patel is definitely one of them. Ishant Sharma is expected to take the new ball with likes of Rabada or Boult.

Avesh Khan is also an option with the new ball. Lamichhane, with his variations, is a wicket-taking option in the powerplay overs. Chris Morris also has done well for them in the past with the new ball.

Likely powerplay bowlers: Rabada/Boult, Sharma/Avesh Khan, Morris, and Lamichhane.

#7 Rajasthan Royals

Jofra Archer could be lethal with the new ball
Jofra Archer could be lethal with the new ball

Royals have made some good buys in the auction. They have a good bowling line up with new signings like Thomas, Aaron, and Unadkat. Jofra Archer is definitely their best option in powerplay overs with his pace and variations.

Gowtham did well in the first six overs last season and could bowl an over or two. Unadkat is expected to share the new ball with Archer. Stokes is a decent option as well.

Likely powerplay bowlers: Gowtham, Archer, Unadkat, Stokes, and Aaron.

#6 Kings XI Punjab

Shami has been in good form for India
Shami has been in good form for India

Kings XI Punjab has one of the best bowling units in IPL 2019. They spent heavily on the likes of Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami, and Sam Curran at the auction. Shami has been in good form for India and is expected to take the new ball for KXIP.

Mujeeb is an uncanny operator in the powerplay overs and Varun is certainly a player to watch out for. Though KXIP prefers to use Tye in the death overs, he could bowl an over or two in the powerplay.

Likely powerplay bowlers: Shami, Tye, Curran/ Mujeeb, and Varun Chakaravarthy.

#5 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar

It is safe to say that Sunrisers Hyderabad have had arguably the best bowling unit in IPL for quite some time. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the bowling attack once again in IPL 2019. Sandeep Sharma has a good IPL record in the powerplay overs. Shakib with his left-arm spin can trouble the batsmen during the first six overs. Kaul and Khaleel are also available for Sunrisers.

Likely powerplay bowlers: Kumar, S Sharma, Shakib, Kaul/ K Ahmed.

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders

Andre Russell
Andre Russell

Kolkata Knight Riders have an inexperienced seam bowling attack in IPL 2019. Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, and Prasidh Krishna are the only notable Indian seamers in the squad. Lockie Ferguson will have to play a huge role for them with the new ball. Andre Russell and Piyush Chawla could be handy in the power play overs. Narine might bowl an over or two if required.

Likely powerplay bowlers: Ferguson, Russell, Chawla, Nagarkoti/Mavi, Narine

#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav was sensational for RCB last season with the new ball and is expected to continue in the role. Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mohammed Siraj are the other seamers who will likely feature for RCB this season.

They also have Washington Sundar to bowl some off-spinners to the left-handers in the first six overs. Chahal and Stoinis will most likely bowl in the middle overs.

Likely powerplay bowlers: Coulter-Nile, Siraj, Umesh, and Sundar

#2 Mumbai Indians

Bumrah is the key for Mumbai Indians
Bumrah is the key for Mumbai Indians

Jasprit Bumrah will most certainly take the new ball for Mumbai Indians. They also have a couple of good overseas seamers in Jason Behrendorff and Mitchell McClenaghan. Sran has also bowled a lot in the powerplay overs.

Rohit Sharma might also use Hardik Pandya in the first six overs. Markande and K Pandya will be used primarily in the middle overs.

Likely powerplay bowlers: Bumrah, Behrendorff/McClenaghan, Sran, and Hardik Pandya.

#1 Chennai Super Kings

Chahar picked up wickets in the powerplay overs last season
Chahar picked up wickets in the powerplay overs last season

The defending Champions have a good mix of youth and experience in their bowling department. Mohit Sharma is expected to lead the bowling attack. Deepak Chahar did exceedingly well in the powerplay overs last season. They also have Shardul Thakur and Lungi Ngidi to bowl in the first six overs. Santner is also an option for Dhoni.

Likely powerplay bowlers: Chahar, Ngidi/Santner, Sharma, Thakur

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Edited by Sai Krishna