Top 8 IPL Bowlers This Season!

The most exciting talent to emerge from the Caribbean in recent times, Andre Russell – a Jamaican all-rounder – was signed by the Delhi franchise at the IPL Player Auction 2012. Russell is a powerful striker of the ball and scored an unbeaten 92 in 2011 to rescue the West Indies from a delicate situation in an ODI against India. He operates as a change bowler, often sticking to a wicket-to-wicket line and using variations to outsmart batsmen. While he can be expensive at times, Russell generally picks up key wickets, is also a very athletic fielder and has a strong throwing arm. After representing DD in seven matches over the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Russell was signed in by the Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL Player Auction 2014. He was thereafter retained by KKR and has established a reputation of being one of the fiercest hitters of the cricket ball. With his all-round capabilities and experience of playing across the globe, KKR have found a utility player in Russell.

Shane Watson was part of Rajasthan Royals since the inaugural IPL season, in 2008. That IPL season also helped him make an improbable comeback to international cricket. After being sidelined due to injuries, Watson decided to join the Royals and emerged the Player of the Tournament in the first edition of the tournament. Also known as ‘Watto’, he is an attacking batsman with a solid defence. An athletic fielder and a medium-pacer he can swing the ball and pick up useful wickets. The all-rounder has always played a crucial role in his IPL team’s fortunes, and RCB will hope he brings in the same aggression and firepower into their camp in Vivo IPL 2016.

Mitchell McClenaghan is one of New Zealand’s fastest bowlers. The left-arm quick started his first-class career with the Central Stags, but it was when he moved to the Auckland Aces in the 2011-12 season that his career began to take flight. He took 35 wickets in ten first-class games for the Aces and was rewarded with a place in the New Zealand squad to tour South Africa in 2012-13. He was impressive in his very first international outing with figures of 4 for 20 against South Africa. With his aggressive bowling, McClenaghan played a big role in Mumbai Indians winning the IPL crown in 2015. With Corey Anderson ruled out, MI were severely crippled, but McClenaghan surprised many when he instantly stepped up to the task. His attacking style put the opposition on back foot and MI began to move upwards in the table. His performance also resulted in Lasith Malinga’s resurgence and the two formed a potent attack as MI found their rhythm back. With him doing so well, MI has an additional option to pick their four overseas players.

Mustafizur Rahman is a left-arm pace bowler who came to Dhaka in 2012 to try his luck at a fast-bowler’s camp, after he had impressed in an Under-17 tournament in his hometown Satkhira. He was admitted to the Bangladesh Cricket Board's pace foundation and soon caught the coaches' attention to make the Bangladesh Under-19 side for the 2014 World Cup. He initially lacked pace, but built it up through the 2014-15 first-class season, when he took 26 wickets. An international call up came soon and Mustafizur impressed straightaway making some of the best in the business look tentative against him. He enjoyed great success against India in the Asia Cup in 2016 and caught the eye worldwide for his ability to generate good pace and for his deceptive slower one. Vivo IPL 2016 will be his first stint with the IPL and the young speedster would want to make the most of this big stage.

Dwayne Bravo brings Caribbean swagger to the IPL. After plying his skills for the Mumbai Indians in the first three seasons, Bravo was taken up by the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the 2011 IPL. A hard-hitting batsman and a decent-paced bowler, Bravo is an asset to any T20 side in the world. No wonder, his services are utilised by T20 teams around the world. His all-round usefulness in the field led the CSK think tank to retain him ahead of the 2014 season. Ahead of IPL 2016 the West Indian all-rounder was picked by the new team Gujarat Lions in the player draft.

MS Dhoni called him the ‘find of the tour’ after the bilateral T20I series against Australia that India won 3-0. For long, India had struggled to find a bowler who could be effective in the death overs. Dhoni’s long search finally ended when Bumrah answered his calls with his ability to bowl yorkers. While the yorker is his most potent weapon, Bumrah’s unorthodox action makes it very difficult for batsmen to read him. If the IPL is all about spotting Indian talent and giving them the platform, the credit for Bumrah’s rapid rise must go to Mumbai Indians. It was John Wright, who spotted him in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and drafted him into the squad. Bumrah has shown improvement in every edition and the presence of Lasith Malinga has been an added advantage. The Sri Lankan star has backed his strength and boosted his confidence. The master of yorkers has passed on his experience and the young Bumrah has benefited immensely.

Amit Mishra is an orthodox leg-spinner who flights the ball and makes it turn consistently. He was impressive in IPL 2008 when he picked up a hat-trick while playing for the Delhi Daredevils. Mishra has been a consistent wicket-taker in the tournament and has also made several useful contributions in the lower order with his timely cameos. Sunrisers Hyderabad ensured he was back in their ranks for IPL 2014 by signing him on for INR 4.75 crore during the year’s IPL Player Auction. In the 2015 edition of the auction, Mishra was signed up by Delhi Daredevils and he will continue to ply his skills for the franchise in the 2016 season.

Mohit Sharma, who made his first-class debut for Haryana in the 2011-12 Ranji Trophy season, has since made rapid strides in his career. In the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season, the medium pacer finished with 37 wickets in eight games at 23.24, which earned him an IPL contract from CSK. He impressed in IPL 2013 with 20 wickets from 15 matches and was soon playing ODI cricket for India. Mohit was bought back by CSK in the IPL Player Auction 2014 and was a regular in their lineup for the past two seasons. He will be donning the KXIP jersey in IPL 2016 after the franchise secured his services at the IPL Player Auction 2016 for a fee of INR 6.5 Crore. The youngster believes in keeping things simple and focusing on the basics of line and length. He also bowls the back-of-the-hand slower one effectively.