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#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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