IPL 2021: 5 Bowlers Who Can Win Purple Cap After UAE Leg

BCCI‘s decision to shift the remaining matches of the IPL 2021 was not a surprise. The UAE remained the frontrunner to host the remainder of IPL 2021, given it staged the 2020 edition successfully and a part of the 2014 leg. The BCCI cited monsoons as the significant reason behind not hosting the remainder of the 14th season in India and awarded to the UAE.

There are certain players, who will surely be glad since they could have the edge due to the remainder of IPL 2021 matches set to take place in the UAE. With the pitches in the middle-east nation assisting the fast bowlers and spinners equally, all types of bowlers will fancy their chances of making an impact. Furthermore, the bowlers who could not do well in the first leg would see this as an opportunity to resurrect.

We take a look at five bowlers who could win the purple cap in the UAE leg of IPL 2021:

Yuzvendra Chahal:

Royal Challengers Bangalore premier spinner Yuzvendra Chahal hasn’t enjoyed the desired outing in the first leg of IPL 2021 so far. While the Royal Challengers Bangalore have performed incredibly well, winning five out of seven games, their first-choice spinner has not come up with good returns.

The leggie has only taken four wickets in seven games at 47.50, with an economy rate of 8.26. Hence, the Haryana-born cricketer, who ended the 2020 season with 21 scalps in 15 matches at 19.28, could turn his season around later this year. Chahal also bowls well with the dew in place – something that would be significant in the UAE during IPL.

Kagiso Rabada:

As the spearhead of the Delhi Capitals, Kagiso Rabada has not delivered as per expectations. Kagiso Rabada has not only been expensive with the ball, but also been less penetrative – something that he achieved in the past seasons frequently. The right-arm speedster has only picked up six wickets in seven games at 28.50, maintaining an economy rate of 8.76.

Kagiso Rabada was one of the star performers for the Delhi Capitals last year in the UAE, ending up with the purple cap. The 26-year old snared 30 scalps in only 17 games at 18.26. Thus, with the extravaganza returning to the UAE, the Capitals can further boost their chances with Rabada returning to his best. Furthermore, Anrich Nortje is likely to play in the second leg of the tournament, providing an apt support for Rabada.

Rashid Khan:

While SunRisers Hyderabad leg-spinner Rashid Khan has fulfilled the expectations this year, the Orange Army clearly needs to deliver more for his franchise. Rashid Khan remains amongst the top five wicket-takers in the first leg of IPL 2021, taking ten wickets in seven games at 17.20, with an impressive economy rate of 6.14 as well to back it up.

But with the remaining matches set to take place in the UAE, the leggie should fancy his chances of taking more wickets as he has plenty of experience playing in the nation. Khan also took 20 wickets last year in 16 games at 17.20, signalling he would be a dangerous prospect for all the oppositions. The 22-year old had an economy rate of 5.36 last year.

Avesh Khan:

Delhi Capitals pacer Avesh Khan has been one of the best bowlers of IPL 2021. Not only has Avesh Khan excelled with the new ball, but he has executed the yorkers as brilliantly in death overs, tying even the destructive batsmen down. Khan’s 14 scalps in eight matches at 16.50, with an economy rate of 7.70, is the second-best in the first leg of the tournament.

The 24-year old has undergone a tremendous transformation from last year when he managed no wicket in the only game he featured. But the right-arm speedster would not be discouraged by the same and instead look to rectify it. With the conditions in the UAE and India almost the same, not much would change in Avesh Khan’s game plan.

Harshal Patel:

Royal Challengers Bangalore seamer Harshal Patel is yet another bowler, who has been incredible this year and sprung a surprise. Harshal Patel took a five-wicket haul against the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural game of IPL 2021, becoming the first bowler to take a fifer against the defending champions. And he currently leads the charts with 17 scalps from seven fixtures at 15.11.

Though Harshal Patel had a couple of tough games against the Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings, it doesn’t change the fact that the right-arm seamer holds plenty of promise. The 30-year old is some distance ahead of his rivals and should fancy his chances of winning the purple cap this season.

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