The TATA Indian Premier League 2022 is just around the corner with the addition of two new teams, ten teams will contend for the prestigious title this season. All teams have assembled their squad for the tournament keeping in mind that all the matches are poised to be hosted at Pune and Mumbai. All franchises would also be prepared for the second phase of the tournament as the pitches will start to wear down providing a lot of support for the bowlers.
Let us take a look at the five bowling units which could become one of the biggest headaches for the batters this season.
#1 Ravichandran Ashwin & Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan Royals)
Yuzvendra Chahal will look to ply his trade for the Rajasthan Royals this season
Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal could be one of the biggest threats to any of the opposing sides in the tournament. The duo is one of the best spinners in the shortest format of the game and this could be one of the biggest weapons for Rajasthan Royals in the second half of the tournament as the pitches start to wear down.
Ashwin bowls at an economical rate and does not give the batters a lot of opportunities to score in the contest, this could open the gates for Yuzvendra Chahal as the batters will be forced into attacking Chahal giving him ample chances to rack up the wickets.
#2 Kagiso Rabada & Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings)
Arshdeep Singh was retained by the Punjab Kings on his base price
Punjab Kings have assembled a terrific quick bowling unit with the experienced Kagiso Rabada spearheading the unit. He will be joined by Arshdeep Singh after the youngster had a terrific season for the Punjab Kings acting as their go-to wicket-taker in the death overs. Under Rabada, Arshdeep will have a chance to grow and flourish, which could blossom into one of the most deadly bowling duos this season.
Arshdeep has been great in the death overs for this franchise and will be relived with Rabada’s addition to the squad, who is perhaps the best death bowler in the shortest format of the game at the moment.
#3 Josh Hazlewood & Mohammad Siraj (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Josh Hazlewood has been in terrific form in the international circuit as of late
Mohammad Siraj has been a cornerstone for the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling some crucial spells over the time at the franchise and will be spearheading the pace battery. He will be widely supported with the addition of Josh Hazlewood, the Australian has been in terrific form since the last edition of the Indian Premier League and has gone on to produce stellar performances for the national side.
The franchise will surely rely on the experience of Hazlewood in the middle overs to slow down the innings with his pinpointed bowling allowing Siraj to deal with less pressure in the death overs.
#4 Ravi Bishnoi & Avesh Khan (Lucknow Super Giants)
Ravi Bishnoi’s heroics in the IPL earned him the call up from the national side last year
Lucknow Super Giants is a side which is been hailed as a squad of all-rounders this season. However, with the presence of emerging youngsters, Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi, the team’s bowling unit should be closely observed as well.
The two have been impressive so far in their previous outings and will look to repeat their success. Bishnoi has an economical over rate and has the knack of picking up wickets within the power play which could be a great threat for any side with Avesh supporting the young leggie from the other end.
#5 Mohammed Shami & Lockie Ferguson (Gujarat Titans)
Lockie Ferguson has emerged as the strike bowler for the Blackcaps in the death overs
Mohammad Shami has been a crucial member of the national side’s bowling unit for the last few years along with producing some good performances in the league. The Gujarat Titans will hope that the player can continue to provide the team with the same in the upcoming season. Shami will be joined by the Blackcap Lockie Ferguson who has been in electric form since the last year.
Ferguson had a great season for the Kolkata Knight Riders last season after the early exit of Pat Cummins, the player stepped up to the opportunity and has never looked back since, with his ability to click up to 150kmps, he could be a great threat if paired up with Shami.
