Who Has The Best Bowling Attack At IPL 2020?

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The Chennai Super Kings have the best bowling attack at IPL 2020 with the likes of Lungi Ngidi, Dwyane Bravo and Imran Tahir.

Ranking The Best Bowling Attacks At IPL 2020

Batsmen win you games. Bowlers win your tournaments. The old cliche could not be more correct in the modern-day game. The Trinbago Knight Riders recently won all 12 of their games on-route to winning another Carribean Premier League title. Dwyane Bravo and Sunil Narine starred with the ball. Both have been part of their franchises’ best bowling attack in previous IPL editions and will be looking to make a mark in the 2020 season.

There are some superb bowlers on show this year in the UAE. Kagiso Rabada. Rashid Khan. Jasprit Bumrah. Jofra Archer. Imran Tahir.

Watch – Rabada derails SRH with 4-22

But there needs to be variety and sustained quality to form a potent bowling attack, not just individual greats.

So, who has the best bowling attack at IPL 2020?

8. Rajasthan Royals

Jofra Archer practices bowling in training
Rajasthan Royals bowler Jofra Archer toss a ball during the practice session ahead the Indian Premier league IPL 2019 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Jaipur,Rajasthan,India on Thursday, April 04,2019.(Photo By Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Rajasthan Royals are definitely short of a gallop at IPL 2020 in terms of their bowling attack. They tried to address it at the IPL 2020 Auction, but did not acquire bowlers that strengthened their team enough.

Jofra Archer and Shreyas Gopal are two of the best bowlers in the IPL. However, outside of these two, thee is a lot of inconsistency. As a result, their efforts could be negated by the other support bowlers, as was the case in IPL 2019.

Overseas Dynasty

Oshane Thomas is a solid bowler with pace and hostility. But, he most likely will not feature in the tournament. Steve Smith, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are likely to make up the four overseas slots. Varun Aaron had a good return in last year’s IPL, but he can be inconsistent.

Also, Read – The importance of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood to England Cricket

Unadkat has been poor since his excellent 2017 season. The rest of the squad is filled with good domestic bowlers, but none of international quality.

RR strengths and weaknesses

Rajasthan Royals have the eight best bowling attack at IPL 2020.

7. Kings XI Punjab

Mohammad Shami practices bowling in training.
Kings XI Punjab player Mohammad Shami during the practice session ahead the IPL match against Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan ,India on Sunday, March 24,2019. (Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Kings XI Punjab again have a similar conundrum to the Rajasthan Royals. Mohammad Shami is a fine bowler, despite conceding runs at the death. He picks up wickets, though, which is a key aspect of T20 Cricket.

Either one of Chris Jordan or Sheldon Cottrell will start. Both are international quality bowlers, who offer a good choice. Jordan is a reliable death bowler and Cottrell has been impressive for the West Indies.

Problem Of Plenty?

Mujeeb is fantastic bowler, but badly struggled last year in the IPL. Fitting him into the side will be an issue. Should they decide to play him, one of Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell or Nicholas Pooran will have to sit out. If they don’t play him, it significantly weakens their bowling attack.

Also, Read – IPL 2020 Probable XI – CSK, KKR, KXIP, DC

Ishan Porel and Ravi Bishnoi both have huge potential. However, uncapped bowlers have struggled in the past as we have seen.

Kings XI Punjab have the seventh best bowling attack at IPL 2020.

6. Kolkata Knight Riders

Andre Russell warms up in training
NEW DELHI, INDIA APRIL 26: Kolkata Knight Riders team during practice at Feroz Shah Kotla ground in New Delhi. (Photo by Qamar Sibtain/The India Today Group via Getty Images)

The Kolkata Knight Riders recently have struggled with the ball in hand. They have often been unable to defend totals and have not been able to adapt to the freshly laid Kolkata pitch. The pitch suits seamers more then spinners perhaps but an underwhelming pace attack has led to their downfall.

Pressure On Pat Cummins

Also, Read – The top 5 best bowling attacks in test match cricket

In the 2020 IPL Auction, KKR splashed the cash on Pat Cummins, signing him for 15.5 crores. They will be hoping that he can lead the attack because their Indian pacers lack experience. Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine will need to be in good form this season if KKR are to cause problems with their spin attack. How Andre Russell’s knee is could determine the balance of their side.

Kolkata Knight Riders have the sixth best bowling attack at IPL 2020.

5. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Can a Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore win their first IPL title in 2020?
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s celebrate their team’s victory during the IPL Twenty20 cricket match against Pune Warriors (PW) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on April 17, 2012. RCB scored 186 runs as against a target of 182 set by PW. AFP PHOTO/Manjunath KIRAN
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The Royal Challengers Bangalore faithful will be hoping that the 2020 IPL can finally be the year when their bowling attack shines again. The inability to defend totals, especially conceding runs at the death, has been their downfall in recent years. Dale Steyn played just two games last year but RCB won both of them. It just shows what a leader of the attack can inspire them to.

Can Steyn And Morris Inspire?

Also, Read – Top 5 most wickets by overseas bowlers in Asia in tests

Chris Morris has also joined the ranks this time and if he and Steyn are both picked, they could finally sort out their death bowling. Both are also good with the new ball and would rejuvenate their attack. Spin bowling is in safe hands with Yuzvendra Chahal but Washington Sundar must rediscover his 2017 form that he showed for RPS.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have the fifth best bowling attack at IPL 2020.

4. Delhi Capitals

The Delhi Capitals have a superb bowling attack at IPL 2020 spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada.
VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA – MAY 10: Trent Boult of the Delhi Capitals celebrates taking the wicket of Faf Du Plessis of the Chennai Super Kings during the Indian Premier League IPL Qualifier Final match between the Delhi Capitals and the Chennai Super Kings at ACA-VDCA Stadium on May 10, 2019 in Visakhapatnam, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Delhi Capitals were spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada at IPL 2019. He picked up 25 wickets in just 12 games to help them make the play-offs. However, he did not play the last two crucial games as he travelled back to make it in time for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. It is perhaps asking too much off him to replicate such form but he does have the ability to do so.

All-Round Awesomeness

Also, Read – The top 5 best South African players at IPL 2020

Ishant Sharma has found his groove again the IPL, following a successful test match stint with the Indian National Team. The spin attack looks solid with Ravi Ashwin having been trade in to add to Axar Patel and Sandeep Lamichhane.

Delhi Capitals have the fourth best bowling attack at IPL 2020.

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rashid Khan will lead the SRH bowling attack this IPL.
VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA – MAY 08: Rashid Khan of the Sunrisers Hyderabad celebrates taking the wicket of Axar Patel of the Delhi Capitals during the Indian Premier League IPL Eliminator Final match between the Delhi Capitals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad at ACA-VDCA Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Visakhapatnam, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Sunrisers Hyderabad were excellent in the 2018 IPL with the ball. However, their pacers were not able to perform such results in the 2019 IPL. Plus, Rashid Khan, while being economical, failed to pick up lots of wickets because teams played his overs out. Should Bhuvneshwar Kumar be fully fit and available, their attack will be much stronger for it.

Skiddy Seamers

Also, Read – The top 5 best Australian players at IPL 2020

Playing in the UAE, on slower and skiddier pitches should help their bowlers such as Sandeep Sharma and Siddarth Kaul to perform much better. If they manage to fit Mohammad Nabi into the team, their bowling looks top class. But, it is unlikely that he will play once both David Warner and Jonny Bairstow are back.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have the third best bowling attack at IPL 2020.

2. Mumbai Indians

The Mumbai Indians have a very good bowling attack at IPL 2020 with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
HYDERABAD, INDIA – MAY 12: Krunal Pandya of the Mumbai Indians celebrates taking the wicket of Faf Du Plessis of the Chennai Super Kings during the Indian Premier League Final match between the the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Hyderabad, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Mumbai Indians have perhaps the second best bowling attack at IPL 2020. Missing Lasith Malinga and the lack of a high-quality spinner means that they cannot be the number one. Rahul Chahar was superb for them in 2019, but if he can continue such form is still yet to be seen.

Bumrah To The Fore?

Also, Read – IPL 2020 Predicted XI: MI, RCB, SRH, RR

Jasprit Bumrah will likely have to carry the load of the attack, as he did in 2018. Nathan Coulter-Nile and Trent Boult are both great options, should they perform well. If not, Mitchell Mclenaghan is a proven bowler in the IPL.

Hardik Pandya has transformed well as a bowler and offers good all-round ability, along with Krunal Pandya. Kieron Pollard has been bowling well during the CPL and the Mumbai Indians will be hoping that he can also do so at IPL 2020.

Mumbai Indians have the second best bowling attack at IPL 2020.

1. Chennai Super Kings

How can CSK replace Suresh Raina, now that he unavailable due to personal reasons at the IPL 2020 in the UAE?
VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA – MAY 10: Harbhajan Singh of the Chennai Super Kings celebrates taking the wicket of Shikhar Darwan of the Delhi Capitals during the Indian Premier League IPL Qualifier Final match between the Delhi Capitals and the Chennai Super Kings at ACA-VDCA Stadium on May 10, 2019 in Visakhapatnam, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Chennai Super Kings just edge the Mumbai Indians in terms of the having the best bowling attack at IPL 2020. Mumbai Indians would have won this award, had Lasith Malinga been available for the tournament.

CSK have a battery of pace options in Lungi Ngidi, Josh Hazlewood, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur. Plus, the all-round excellence of Dwyane Bravo. The variety in their pace department sets them apart. Ngidi can move the new ball, bowls sharp bouncers and is very good at the death. Chahar can also move the new ball and bowl economically in the powerplay. Bravo has amazing slower ball skills and has a pinpoint accurate yorker.

Spin Strength

Also, Read – Three ways that CSK can line up at IPL 2020

Their spinners include the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Imran Tahir, Karn Sharma, Piyush Chawla and Mitchell Santner. This is even after Harbhajan Singh has decided to pull out of the IPL. Given the respective conditions in the UAE, such a high-quality spin attack will help CSK strangle teams in the middle-overs.

Chennai Super Kings have the best bowling attack at IPL 2020.

 

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