IPL 2020 : Top 5 bowling performances of the season


IPL 2020 : Top 5 bowling performances of the season

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and Varun Chakravarthy (left to right)

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and Varun Chakravarthy (left to right)
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and Varun Chakravarthy (left to right)

In a year marred by the pandemic and the lockdown that followed, not many would have imagined witnessing such an electrifying season of Indian Premier League. Relocated to the UAE, many expected a run-fest in the 13th season of the IPL. But the bowlers had something else in mind as they showcased their brilliance in the cash-rich league.

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Facing an uphill task, bowlers dug deep into their arsenal and came up with some spectacular performances. So let’s take a look at the top 5 bowling efforts of the season.

5. Kagiso Rabada flattens KXIP in super over

Kagiso Rabada celebrates a wicket

In the second game of IPL 2020, we witnessed the first super over of the season as 40 overs of enthralling cricket couldn’t separate Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab. Chasing a target of 157, Punjab came up with the exact score in their 20 overs riding on a blistering 89 by Mayank Agarwal. And were put to bat first in the super over. Kagiso Rabada took the ball for DC and sealed the game for his side as he scalped 2 wickets in as many balls.

It was a well-directed bouncer which sent KL Rahul packing. He then cleaned up Nicholas Pooran with an accurate yorker on the very next ball. His successive wickets meant the Capitals had a target of 3 runs in twice as many balls which they comfortably chased down eventually. Rabada finished with the Purple Cap this season for his 30 wickets in 17 games.

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4. Rashid Khan steamrolls Delhi Capitals

Rashid Khan celebrates a wicket against DC
Rashid Khan celebrates a wicket against DC

Afghanistan leg spinner Rashid Khan was at it as he sealed the game for Sunrisers Hyderabad after a dominant batting performance. It was a must-win game for SRH as they took on second-placed Delhi Capitals. And they were spot on from the word go. The Sunrisers posted a huge total riding on explosive innings from Wriddhiman Saha, David Warner and Manish Pandey.

Rashid cleaned up dangerous Shimron Hetmyer on his first delivery of the game as he looked to slog the leggie. Later that over, a googly caught Ajinkya Rahane, who was looking dangerous, infront of the stumps. Trying to up ante, Axar Patel fell prey to Rashid. And that was the end of the road for the Capitals as their last recognised batsman walked off. The Afghan leggie finished the game with figures of 3 for 7 as SRH sealed the game by 88 runs.

3. Mohammad Siraj destroys KKR’s top order

Mohammad Siraj delighted as he castles Nitish Rana
Mohammad Siraj delighted as he castles Nitish Rana

Playing just his fourth game of the season, Mohammad Siraj took the new ball against Kolkata Knight Riders. The right-arm quick is not known to do wonders with the new ball. But the story was the complete opposite that evening. Siraj wreaked havoc through the KKR top-order helping his side to an easy win.

Rahul Tripathy was the first to fall prey to Siraj’s newfound accuracy with the new as he edged a full delivery to AB de Villiers. The very next ball saw Nitish Rana walk off for a golden duck as a hint of inswing saw him castled. Siraj continued to torment the batsman before he removed Englishman Tom Banton with yet another away moving delivery. His new ball antics saw him finish with figures of 3 for 8 as he was adjudged the man of the match.

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2. Varun Chakravarthy’s fifer takes KKR home

Varun Chakravarthy celebrates his fifer
Varun Chakravarthy celebrates his fifer

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy stepped up against the Delhi Capitals to tame their power-packed batting line up to a modest 135. Chasing a challenging 194, DC found themselves in a tough spot following Pat Cummins‘ double strike in the powerplay. To add to their woes, Chakravarthy arrived at his best as he drove the final nails in the Capitals’ coffins.

The mystery spinner ransacked the Capitals’ middle order as he scalped the prized wickets of Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer and Axar Patel with his deceptive bowling. Chakravarthy single-handedly sent the whole DC middle-order packing as he finished with figures of 5 for 20. He was also adjudged the man of the match for his match-winning spell which is the only five-wicket haul of the season.

1. Jasprit Bumrah bamboozles DC

Jasprit Bumrah pumped up after a wicket
Jasprit Bumrah pumped up after a wicket

Mumbai Indians pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ripped apart Delhi Capitals‘ middle order in the first qualifier to hand his side an easy spot in the final. Put to chase a huge total of 209, the Capitals were already down to their knees in the very first over as Trent Boult sent Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane for ducks. Bumrah joined the party as he knocked the breath out of the DC batting order.

Bumrah removed in-form Shikhar Dhawan for a duck with a pinpoint yorker. In the next over, Bumrah sent DC skipper Shreyas Iyer packing after he hit him for a four through the covers. He went on to dismiss set Marcus Stoinis before he cleaned up Daniel Sams to round up a perfect night for him. The Indian pacer bagged the man of the match award for his spell of 4 for 14. With the spell, Bumrah snatched away the Purple Cap only to lose it to Kagiso Rabada eventually. Bumrah finished with 28 wickets this season.

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Also read : IPL 2020: Here’s the full list of award winners in IPL 2020 season