IPL 2021: Top 5 Wicket-Takers In IPL 2021 After The League Stage

The slow and sluggish tracks of the UAE has made it difficult for batsmen to score runs freely. The ball isn’t coming on nicely to the bat and bowlers are enjoying bowling on these tracks. The fast bowlers with good slower balls and cutters have achieved a significant amount of success in the second leg of IPL 2021.

The league stage of IPL 2021 has witnessed some special bowling performances from talents across the globe. While the second half of the tournament saw more assistance for the fast bowlers, the first leg also saw eye-catching bowling performances. In this article, we take a look at the top five wicket-takers in IPL 2021 after the league stage.

IPL 2021: Top 5 Wicket-Takers In IPL 2021 After The League Stage

Rashid Khan

The fact that Rashid Khan is the only spinner present in the list tells you how well he has bowled for SRH this season. Rashid Khan has time and again proved why is amongst the best spinners in the world.

Batsmen, once again, have tried to adopt a defensive approach against the leggie. And, the ones who have attacked him often got out in the process of hitting sixes one too many.

Rashid Khan was one of the few bright spots for SRH this season. In 14 matches, he picked 18 wickets at an average of 20.83 and an economy of less than 7. He is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021 after the league stage.

Mohammed Shami

At number four is Punjab Kings pacer, Mohammed Shami with 19 wickets in 14 matches. He looked a bit out of sorts at times in the first leg of IPL 2021 but made a solid comeback in the latter half of the tournament in UAE. Shami bowled accurate lengths, used slower deliveries and pin-point Yorkers to great effect.

Shami along with Arshdeep Singh was brilliant, especially in death overs. There have been occasions when Punjab Kings were belted for too many runs in the first 15 overs before Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh pulled the game back by bowling admirably in the death overs. He took 19 wickets at an average of 20.79 and thus sits fourth in the list of highest wicket-takers.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah continued to be Mumbai Indian’s wrecker in chief for a second successive season. More often than note, Bumrah has got MI wickets whenever the match looked to slip out of their hands. Rohit Sharma mostly used him in the middle and death overs and Bumrah rarely disappointed his skipper.

He was the second-highest wicket-taker last season with 27 wickets in 15 matches. Bumrah picked 21 wickets in 14 matches at the end of the league stage this year and thus sits at third in the list. He isn’t going to add more to his tally further as Mumbai Indians has failed to reach the playoffs this year.

Avesh Khan

It is safe to say that Avesh Khan has been the find for Delhi Capitals this year. He has been pivotal to Delhi Capital’s success this year. Avesh Khan has picked wickets consistently for Delhi in both legs of the tournament. His impressive performances haven’t allowed Ishant Sharma to play a lot of games for DC this season.

Avesh Khan has impressed with his accurate line and lengths and toe-crushing Yorkers. Kagiso Rabada has endured a forgettable season this year but Delhi Capitals still managed to top the points table after the league stage, thanks to impressive spells from Avesh Khan.

Currently sitting at the second position, Avesh Khan has managed to pick 22 wickets in 14 at an average of 17.32.

Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel is head and shoulders above the rest of the bowlers this season, as far as picking wickets are concerned. Harshal Patel has singlehandedly won matches for RCB with the ball in IPL 2021. He has been the biggest reason behind RCB’s incredible performance in the death overs- something which they were struggling for the last few years.

Harshal Patel has managed to pick 30 wickets in 14 matches, the most by any bowlers after the league stage in IPL 2021. He has picked one four-wicket haul, one five-wicket haul and one hat-trick this season. Ahead of the eliminator match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, Harshal Patel is expected to play a big role for the team.