IPL 2018: 5 Bowlers who can be used as an Opener
In the 11 seasons of the IPL, there have been many occasions where some of the lower order batsmen are sent up the order as pinch hitters. Sunil Narine is doing it for KKR currently. All the teams want to maximize the advantage of the fielding restrictions and score as many runs as possible in the powerplay. The lower order batsmen don’t really get a chance to bat and so they are wasted down the order. It won’t really matter even if they lose their wicket pretty quickly. Here are 5 bowlers who can be considered to open the batting as a pinch hitter.
5. Mitchell McClenaghan (MI)
Mitchell McClenaghan has been used as a pinch hitter by the previous Mumbai coach – Ricky Ponting. When MI was chasing 188 against KKR in 2016 Ricky Ponting sent in McClenaghan at No.4 to hit some sixes and he definitely did the job. He scored a 20 off just 9 balls and bought the required run rate down. He definitely has the power to clear the fence pretty easily. He has a strike rate of 134.04 in the IPL. Even if he gets out pretty quickly it wouldn’t matter as his batting is not used lower down the order. So, he can be an option for the Mumbai Indians if they want a really quick start in the powerplay.