VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY- KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS (KKR)
M: 13| WKTs: 17| BB: 5/20| ECO: 6.84
KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy proved to be the best spinner in the IPL 2020, picking the only five-wicket haul in the tournament. His spin was instrumental for KKR as Sunil Narine struggled with the ball and even had to sit out due to his action being called suspicious.
IPL 2020: WATCH - Varun Chakravarthy spends valuable time with MS Dhoni after the CSK-KKR clash
His bowling in powerplay was part of the KKR leader group’s plans for the team’s success. His outing helped him earn a call-up for the Indian team on the T20I leg of the Australian tour. Though he will miss the tour due to a shoulder injury, everyone will keep an eye out for Chakravarthy in 2021 IPL, as the T20 World Cup will also happen in India that year.
MOHAMMAD SHAMI- KINGS XI PUNJAB (KXIP)
M: 14| WKTs: 20| BB: 3/15| ECO: 8.57
Kings XI Punjab almost made it into the playoffs despite losing 6 out of their first seven games in the tournament. Buoyed by the batting of Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, and Mayank Agarwal, KXIP powered through the second half of the tournament and were only eliminated as they lost their last league match to CSK.
However, they might have fared better in the tournament if only their best bowler by far, Mohammad Shami had gotten some support at the other end. He picked up 20 wickets in the tournament including his IPL best figures of 3/15. He even defended 5 runs in a super over against a red-hot MI batting, giving his team a chance to earn two points.
If only, Chris Jordan, Sheldon Cottrell, and others had done their job nicely at the other end, Shami was red hot, bowling picture-perfect yorkers and getting the ball to swing from the other end.
