The 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is almost upon us and the focus is once again set to fall on the wrist-spinners.
Wrist-spinners have been dominating limited-overs cricket over the past few seasons with their roles becoming essential for every top team.
As many as five of the top-eight ranked T20I bowling ranking slots are currently occupied by wrist spinners which tells you all you need to know about their significance.
Here, we take a look at the top five wrist-spinners in the upcoming IPL.
ISH SODHI – RAJASTHAN ROYALS
Ranked No8 in the T20 rankings, Ish Sodhi has been around the circuit for many years now. The New Zealand leg-spinner is a proven performer and has picked up a total of 123 wickets across all three formats in international cricket.
Sodhi had a terrific impact at Rajasthan Royals last season where his six wickets played a key role in the side’s late surge to the play-offs. The leggie’s economy-rate in his six appearances was just 5.86 and he will once again be key for the side in the upcoming edition.
Ish Sodhi. Image credit – @IPL/Twitter.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL – ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
The No5 ranked ODI bowler came into prominence through his performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL before being called up India’s limited-overs squad.
Over the last two years, Chahal has established himself as a crucial cog of India’s limited-overs setup with his partnership with Kuldeep Yadav going strong in both formats.
The wrist-spinner did not have the best of IPL’s last year where he picked up just 12 wickets. He will be looking to hit the heights he hit in 2015 and 2016 where he picked up 23 and 21 wickets respectively.
Yuzvendra Chahal.
KULDEEP YADAV – KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
Chahal’s India partner-in-crime Kuldeep has been tearing it up at the international level of late and jumped to No4 in the ODI and T20 formats.
With his ability to bag wickets in a heap, the left-arm wrist-spinner has proven to be a match-winner for both India and Kolkata Knight Riders on several occasions.
Only 24, Kuldeep has been improving with each passing season in the IPL and will look to better his 2018 display where he picked up 17 wickets.
Kuldeep Yadav.
RASHID KHAN – SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
At the top of the T20 standings and in second place in ODIs, Rashid Khan has established himself as the best in the business in a very short span of time.
The Afghanistan leg-spinner is a performer of the highest order who has been successful in every major T20 franchise league in the world, be it the IPL, Big Bash league or the Caribbean Premier League.
The Afghan star has been nothing short of sensational in his two years so far in the IPL where he has picked up a total of 38 wickets while bowling at an economy of less than seven runs an over.
Rashid Khan. Image credit – @IPL/Twitter.
SANDEEP LAMICHHANE – DELHI CAPITALS
The only Nepalese player to play in the IPL, Sandeep Lamichhane has gone on to do some big things since his debut campaign for Delhi last year.
Lamichhane was given just three games by the Delhi management towards the end of the competition but still managed to impress with five wickets. Since then, the teenager has had stints in the BBL, CPL, Global T20 Canada, Bangladesh Premier League and most recently the Pakistan Premier League.
The leg-spinner put in his best ever T20 display of 4-10 during his recent Lahore Qalandars’ stint and looks set to create a much bigger impact in the upcoming IPL with Delhi.
Sandeep Lamichhane. Image credit – @IPL/Twitter.
