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The second half of IPL 2021 is all set to get underway in the UAE from September 19. The first leg of the event, held in India, had to be suspended after COVID-19 cases emerged in the tournament’s bio-bubble.
This is the second year in a row that the IPL is being held in the Middle East. Last season, the entire tournament was played in the UAE after India were unable to organize the T20 league due to the dangers posed by COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite being played behind closed doors, in a bio-secure bubble, IPL 2020 in the UAE was a major success.
Mumbai Indians (MI) were eventually crowned champions for the fifth time, lifting their second IPL title in a row. Rohit Sharma’s men got the better of first-time finalists Delhi Capitals (DC) in a one-sided final.
Standout bowlers from IPL 2020 in the UAE
With the latest edition of the IPL less than a fortnight away, we look back at some bowlers who had a memorable time when the event was held in the UAE last season.
#5 Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Ever since making his IPL debut in 2017, Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has impressed in every season. In fact, the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler has claimed a minimum of 17 IPL wickets in each edition from IPL 2017 to IPL 2020.
Last season, he picked up 20 wickets in 16 matches at a strike rate of 19.20 and a brilliant economy rate of 5.37.
Rashid bamboozled the batters with his variations and rarely allowed the opponents to go after him. Although he has been on the scene for a few years, Rashid has continued to trouble batters with his guile.
The leg-spinner returned with sensational figures of 3 for 7 as Delhi Capitals faltered in a chase of 220. He also claimed 3 for 12 in a match against Punjab Kings.
Rashid was in his element in the first half of IPL 2021 as well, snaring 10 wickets in seven games at a strike rate of 16.80 and an economy rate of just over six.
#4 Anrich Nortje (Delhi Capitals)
South African speedster Anrich Nortje played a key role in Delhi Capitals reaching their maiden IPL final last season in the UAE. He bowled with serious pace and even broke the record for the fastest delivery in the history of the T20 league.
There was more to Nortje than just raw pace though. Coming in as a replacement for Chris Woakes, he claimed 22 wickets in 16 matches at a strike rate of 16.63.
Although his economy rate was slightly on the higher side, Nortje made up for it by picking up key wickets at crucial junctures in matches. His battle with Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Jos Buttler made for engrossing viewing.
Rather surprisingly, Nortje did not feature in a single match in the first half of IPL 2021. The South African was forced to miss the first few games due to quarantine.
There was also some confusion over his COVID-19 reports. In the meantime, Avesh Khan grabbed his opportunity and kept Nortje out of the playing XI throughout the India leg of IPL 2021.
#3 Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians)
Experienced Kiwi left-arm pacer Trent Boult was brilliant for defending champions Mumbai Indians last season. In 15 IPL games, Boult claimed 25 wickets at a sensational strike rate of 13.76.
Although his economy rate was close to eight, he struck key blows for the franchise right through the edition.
His best of 4 for 18 came against CSK as he dismantled the batting line-up with a superb display of fast bowling. Courtesy Boult’s heroics, MI thumped CSK by 10 wickets.
He was also the man of the match in the IPL 2020 final. Boult got Marcus Stoinis first-ball and ended with figures of 3 for 30.
The MI pacer impressed in the first half of IPL 2021 as well, claiming eight wickets in seven matches at a strike rate of a little under 20. He was on the expensive side again but his deadly yorkers won MI a couple of close games.
#2 Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals)
The South African pacer was the Purple Cap winner in IPL 2020, grabbing 30 wickets for Delhi Capitals in 17 matches at a strike rate of 13.13 and an economy rate of 8.34.
Kagiso Rabada proved deadly with both his yorkers and his bouncers. He formed a terrific pairing with South African teammate Nortje, and the duo gave little respite to opposition batters.
Rabada’s best of 4 for 24 in IPL 2020 came against RCB when he dismissed Virat Kohli and ran through the lower order. He also stood out with figures of 4 for 29 in Qualifier 2 against SRH as DC defended a target of 190 and made it to their maiden IPL final.
The Proteas pacer was surprisingly off-color in the first half of IPL 2021. Although he picked up eight wickets in seven games, he was erratic on most occasions and had a strike rate of nearly 20.
Rabada will be keen to make up for the disappointing show during the second half in the UAE.
#1 Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)
As has been the case a number of times, Jasprit Bumrah was the standout performer for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2020 in the UAE.
Bumrah and Rabada were, in fact, neck-to-neck in the race for the Purple Cap. Although the DC pacer won the contest, Bumrah was part of yet another IPL title triumph.
Bumrah picked up 27 wickets from 15 matches in IPL 2020 at a strike rate of 13.33 and a wonderful economy rate of 6.73. His career-best of 4 for 14 was registered last season.
Bumrah ran through Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 1, sending back Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis. Earlier, he also claimed 4 for 20 against Rajasthan Royals in an impressive 57-run victory.
The MI pacer was somewhat subdued in the first half of IPL 2021, picking up six wickets in seven matches. He did hold his nerve in a couple of tense clashes.
Without doubt, MI will be expecting a lot more from him during the UAE leg.
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