It is incredible that when T20 cricket started, it was the spinners who were considered to be most in danger from the rampaging and ever-growing batsmanship. The modern day game has commanded flat pitches, big six-hitting bats, short boundaries to serve its economics and has compromised the contest between bat and ball.
Spinners who didn't have the pace that fast bowlers possess were thought would go out of the T20 game. It pleases those who love and cherish this sport that it didn't happen, in fact, spinners are dominating the T20 cricket these days and making the matchwinning impact for their teams.
Spinner, finger-spinners and Wrist-spinners alike, are bowling at excellent economy rates and taking wickets for their teams and have thrived their way to attain the status of being one of the most crucial members on the team sheet.
Take the example of Indian Premier League, the history of the league suggests that Amit Mishra, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Harbhajan Singh are the legends of this spectacle. There's a reason for it, these spinners have wealth themselves with the pragmatism of trying to bowl the best defensive ball each time. The wicket-taking is a blessing, part of the process of being as miserly as possible.
Hence, Team COC today gets down to analyze and list out five such spinners who have been excellent over their aspiration in the current Indian Premier League season.
1. Mujeeb Zadran
10 matches 6.69 Economy rate 14 wickets
There's something about Afghanistan that separates them from many of cricket's emerging nation. Afghanistan has been able to produce exceptional world-class talent very early into their development. Mujeeb Zadran is one such exceptionally skilled cricketer from the country. His inclusion, for Kings XI Punjab has been one of the keys to their resurgence in the IPL this season. You could see Ravichandran Ashwin, his captain, depends on Mujeeb to be a four-over bank for him. It's amazing that Mujeeb Zadran has been able to live upto this at such a young age.
2. Rashid Khan
10 matches 7.09 Economy rate 13 wickets
Now that's Afghanistan's best cricketer, Rashid Khan is a world class bowling talent at the young age of 19. He thrives on the quickness in the air allowing batsmen no time to gauge his variation and bowls it with dead-eye accuracy. One thing that magically stands out with Rashid Khan is the ability to bowl the leg-spinner from the back of the hand, he has got his fingers to do this immensely tough job. Sunrisers Hyderabad's second most important bowler on the team sheet. IPL's most amazing talent.
3. Mayank Markande
10 matches 7.9 Economy rate 13 wickets
It must be confessed, that when Mumbai Indians let go Harbhajan Singh for this season and purchased Rahul Chahar in the auction, everyone thought wrist spinner Rahul Chahar has got his big break and nobody knew who Mayank Markande is. Mayank caught the eyes of the Mumbai Indians scouts playing for Punjab U-23 and was drafted in immediately. He has done absolutely brilliantly for Mumbai this year, reflected by the fact that he has played all the games. Uncapped players don't often play for that long in a first eleven unless they are really good, Mayank Markande is exceptional.
4. Shakib Al Hasan
10 matches 7.4 Economy rate 10 wickets
Bangladesh has produced three world-class players in their history of the sport, and it has to be said Shakib Al Hasan is the first in the list. He has been magnificent over the years for Bangladesh with the bat and the ball. Things have not been too different if his exploits for Sunrisers Hyderabad are concerned. Shakib has been batting in the top 6, but his ability to go through his four overs with extremely good economy rates on most days has really helped Kane Williamson, the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, in the field and has been impactful on the team's success.
5. Sunil Narine
10 matches 7.8 Economy rate 12 wickets
It is rightly believed that the fortunes of Kolkata Knight Riders changed in the Indian Premier League when they appointed Gautam Gambhir the captain seven years back, but if you dig deep, KKR became a force to reckon with only when Gautam Gambhir got on board the services of Sunil Narine for his team. Sunil has not yet been decoded completely, his variations are still making it difficult for a batsman to read him. This year Sunil Narine the batsman has been making news, but it is his bowling which is still very crucial for his side. He has gone through his overs with a fine economy rate and has been getting important wickets for his Dinesh Karthik this year. He is normally one of the first names on the KKR team sheet.
