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#4 IPL 2021 Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad have a fabulous pace-bowling department, mostly consisting of Indian players, in IPL 2021.
The leader of SRH's fast-bowling arsenal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has been in sublime form recently. With 136 scalps in 121 matches, he is the seventh-most prolific wicket-taker in the history of the IPL. Kumar played only four matches last season, as he suffered a thigh muscle injury.
The 31-year-old is almost back to his best, putting up a splendid show in the recently-concluded bilateral series against England. His 3/42 in ten overs in the decisive ODI helped India win the match and take the ODI series.
In the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar last season, T Natarajan and Sandeep Sharma led the SRH pace attack.
Both the bowlers showed great composure and discipline in their bowling. While Natarajan took 16 wickets in as many matches, Sharma was excellent as well, taking 14 scalps in 13 matches at an impressive economy rate of 7.19.
It will be interesting to see which of the two bowlers head coach Trevor Bayliss would decide to pair with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL 2021. Khaleel Ahmed is another good option available. Meanwhile, Basil Thampi and Siddarth Kaul will likely form the backups.
SRH's overseas fast-bowling arsenal is thin; they only have all-rounder Jason Holder in their ranks after Mitchell Marsh pulled out of the tournament citing 'personal reasons'. With 14 wickets in just seven matches in IPL 2020, Holder was exceptional for SRH last season and would look to replicate that success in 2021.
#3 IPL 2021 Team: Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Rajasthan Royals would have found themselves even higher up the rankings had their star overseas pacer Jofra Archer been available throughout their IPL 2021 campaign.
Archer is set to miss the initial phase of IPL 2021, as he is recovering from an elbow injury. The Englishman was the leading wicket-taker for RR in IPL 2020, taking 20 scalps in 14 matches at a fabulous economy rate of 6.55 and strike rate of 16.7.
Among their Indian pacers, RR have Jaydev Unadkat, who was dismal last season, as he could only manage four wickets in seven matches at a poor economy rate of 9.91.
Kuldip Yadav and Chetan Sakaria form their backup Indian fast-bowling options. Meanwhile, all-rounder Shivam Dube would be expected to chip in with a few overs too.
Kartik Tyagi, who had nine wickets in his last IPL campaign, could come into the picture if Unadkat does not perform.
Bangladesh international Mustafizur Rahman was snapped up by RR at his base price of INR 1 crore. But he could find it tough to break into the playing XI.
In Archer's absence, the Sanju Samson-led unit would have their hopes on overseas stars Ben Stokes and Chris Morris. Stokes has been in superb form with both bat and ball, while Morris also had a good outing with the ball last season for RCB.
However, the RR pace unit looks more lethal with Archer in the playing XI, so the management will hope the Englishman can get back to the pitch as soon as possible.
#2 IPL 2021 Team: Delhi Capitals (DC)
Ricky Ponting's Delhi Capitals have been phenomenal in the last two seasons. After finishing runners-up in IPL 2020, the Capitals will hope to go all the way in the competition this year.
Two players helped Delhi a great deal on their road to the final in 2020 - Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
Rabada was the Purple Cap winner, taking 30 wickets in 17 matches. Meanwhile, Anrich Nortje, who had come in to the Delhi side as a replacement for Chris Woakes, proved to be highly effective as well. The South African speedster claimed 22 wickets in 16 matches and will look to continue his good form in IPL 2021 as well.
The duo is currently under a mandatory 7-day quarantine and will miss DC's IPL 2021 opener against CSK.
Indian pacers Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav, who was recently brought in for INR 1 crore, will hope to make it to the playing XI. Both have a plethora of experience in the IPL and could be made good use of by Ponting.
Lukman Meriwala and Avesh Khan are the backup fast-bowling options for the Delhi Capitals.
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis also made a significant contribution with the ball in IPL 2020, picking up 13 wickets in 17 matches. He has become a vital cog in the Capitals' machinery.
DC will also have the services of Chris Woakes at their disposal in IPL 2021. The experienced Englishman could be a fabulous backup overseas option.
Meanwhile Tom Curran, who is primarily a bowling all-rounder, was picked up by the Delhi-based franchise for a handsome INR 5.25 crore. He is another potent option, so it would be interesting to see if he gets some game time in IPL 2021.
#1 IPL 2021 Team: Mumbai Indians (MI)
The battle for the top-ranked pace attack in 2021 was a fierce one, but Mumbai Indians have managed to edge out the Delhi Capitals.
Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult played key roles for MI in their title-winning campaign last season. The ever-reliable 'yorker king' Bumrah snapped up 27 wickets in 15 matches at an outstanding economy rate of 6.73 and strike rate of 13.33. Meanwhile, Kiwi speedster Boult also showed his class, picking up 25 wickets in 15 games.
All-rounders Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard add a lot of depth to the Mumbai Indians' pace-bowling department.
Now that Nathan Coulter-Nile has been roped in for INR 5 crore, MI have a pace attack like none else. Adam Milne forms a great overseas backup option, with all-rounder James Neesham in the reckoning as well.
The Indian backup fast-bowling options comprise of Mohsin Khan, Yudhvir Charak, Dhawal Kulkarni and Arjun Tendulkar.
Overall, Mumbai Indians have a splendid pace attack capable of helping them win a record-extending sixth title.
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