IPL 2019: Best opening bowler for each team
The Indian Premier League brought in revolutionary changes in the style of cricket which was being played, with more emphasis on innovation, strike-rate and big sixes than on the traditional building an innings. More importantly, it brought into play the art of death bowling and batsmen decided to go after bowlers in the death or 'slog' overs.
But one concept from the traditional style of playing it couldn't change and that was the importance of the opening spell in a match. The opening bowlers and the overs bowled in the power play are crucial in every game. There have been few bowlers in the IPL who open the bowling and pick up early wickets almost every single time.
Each team will want to have a good opening bowler and it needn't be only a pacer, even a hard to get-off spinner can do well with the new ball.
Let's take a look at these strike bowlers and who the best opening bowler for each team is.
#1 Chennai Super Kings - Deepak Chahar
The Chennai Super Kings found a good opening bowler and a great talent in Deepak Chahar last season. Chahar was given ample opportunities to prove his mettle and he did so with conviction. The pacer picked up 10 wickets from 12 matches and opened the bowling in every match for the champions.
Chahar bowled at a very good economy rate of 7.28, considering that he delivers most of his overs during the power play when the field restrictions are on. He made his debut for he Indian team in both T20Is and in ODIs and is now playing for the India A side.
Chahar is always in contention for a national call-up and will be a much more seasoned bowler this season. He will be in contention with fiery Lungi Ngidi for the new ball but the fact that this is where Chahar prefers to bowl while Ngidi can operate at all times of the match will make Chahar key at the start of the innings.