IPL 2017: Top 5 bowlers with most dot balls
‘Dot balls are gold in T20,’ is one of the most popularly used clichés used by commentators since the inception of the format. However. a decade after the inaugural T20 World Cup, this statement has, in fact, become even truer than before.
In IPL 2017 too, dot balls have been a key factor in determining the result of the contest and the bowlers who have excelled in the skill of delivering dot balls have reaped benefits.
In this challenging format, sneaking in a few dot balls requires tremendous abilities and hence bowlers who have acquired the art of dot ball bowling must be applauded.
Here we look at the top five bowlers with the most number of dot balls in this year’s IPL.
#5 Sunil Narine- 99 dot balls
This KKR spinner took the IPL 10 by storm with his swashbuckling batting at the top order and has constantly remained in the headlines courtesy of his blazing performances with the willow.
However, he has also ensured that his batting skills haven’t come at the cost of his bowling as he still remains a force to reckon with in then bowling department.
Although Narine’s strike rate (28.20) this year is the worst of his entire IPL career, he has still remained highly economical (7.10 runs per over). He has bowled 282 deliveries so far this season out of which 99 have been dot balls. With a dot ball percentage of 35.10 a game, Narine has enabled KKR to keep the lid tight on the run rate during his bowling.
As Narine comes with the reputation of being a wicket-taker, teams this year have preferred to play him out instead of attacking him. Hence, his economy rate and dot ball percentage have remained impressive.