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Jasprit Bumrah (8/10)
Even as Mumbai Indians (MI) failed to defend their IPL crown, lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah was impressive once again. He claimed 21 wickets in 14 games at a strike rate of 15.71 and an economy rate of 7.45. He was excellent in the first half, winning matches for the team with some brilliant death bowling.
Bumrah bowled an exceptional spell of 1 for 14 as MI defended a total of 150 versus Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Delhi, he was again outstanding with figures of 1 for 15 even as the opponents scored 171. The pacer went for 56 in the high-scoring clash against CSK in which bowlers from both sides suffered.
The MI pacer was among the wickets consistently in the second half as well. However, his efforts were in vain as the batters of the franchise failed to live up to expectations.
Mohammed Shami (7.5/10)
Mohammed Shami had a mixed IPL 2021 campaign for Punjab Kings (PBKS). On some days, he got it spot on and was difficult to get away. On other days, he just couldn’t get it right and was taken for quite a few. Shami’s inconsistency mirrored the franchise’s performance.
Overall, he claimed 19 wickets in 14 matches at a strike rate of 16.63 and an economy rate of 7.50. His best of 3 for 21 came against RR in Dubai as he ran through the lower order. Shami was exceptional with figures of 2 for 14 as PBKS defended a total of 125 against SRH.
In the very next match against MI, he was taken apart by Hardik Pandya as he conceded 42 in his four. Shami picked up three wickets against RCB but was expensive again, this time going for 39. It was that kind of a season for the veteran pacer.
Rahul Chahar (6/10)
Young MI leg-spinner Rahul Chahar began IPL 2021 on a promising note. However, he struggled in the UAE leg and even ended up losing his place in the starting XI. Chahar ended his campaign with 13 wickets in 11 games at a strike rate of 19.84 and an economy rate of 7.39.
The spinner’s best of 4 for 27 came in a close 10-run win over KKR in Chennai. He was brilliant in the next match against SRH with figures of 3 for 19. Chahar was able to get the ball to grip off the surface and beat batsmen with his guile.
He played only four matches in the UAE leg but managed only two scalps. Struggling to make an impact, Chahar was dropped for the subsequent matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin (4/10)
Delhi Capitals (DC) off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made news for his antics other than bowling. He was involved in the controversy of IPL 2021 as he engaged in a heated argument with Tim Southee and Eoin Morgan during a game against KKR over an extra run taken off a ricochet.
Ashwin claimed only seven wickets in 13 matches at a strike rate of 38.28 and an economy rate of 7.41. He hardly ever looked threatening. The off-spinner salvaged his reputation to an extent by claiming two wickets off successive balls in the last over of Qualifier 2 against KKR. However, he then conceded the six that ended DC’s campaign in IPL 2021.
Ashwin's best performance of 2 for 27 came in Qualifier 2. That apart, he slammed a six to win the match against MI. Heading into the World Cup though, his T20 bowling won’t inspire a lot of confidence.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/10)
Like the franchise he represented - Sunrisers Hyderabad - Bhuvneshwar Kumar also had a forgettable run in IPL 2021. The experienced pacer featured in 11 matches, but he only managed to claim six wickets at a strike rate of 42 and an economy rate of 7.97. He did not pick up more than one wicket in any of the games.
Kumar kept missing his lengths, especially at the death, and was clattered for many in a number of games. He conceded 45 in his four in SRH’s opener against KKR and was equally expensive in a game against MI in the first half. Kumar’s best of 1 for 16 in three overs came against PBKS, but after that it was back to struggling times.
With T Natarjan unavailable for most part of IPL 2021, SRH were banking on the reliable Kumar to deliver, but it wasn’t to be.
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