Recently the schedule for the upcoming season of the IPL was announced. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings face each other in the IPL opener which will take place on the 29th of March. The league stage will go on till 17th May whereas the final will be held on the 24th of May.
Over the years, the IPL has given many young players who have made it to the Indian team and most of them have been the leggies. Wrist-spinners are the most effective type of bowlers in the shortest format and hence they make a name for themselves in the IPL.
Yuzvendra Chahal has been brilliant for India but there are a few leg-spinners who could give him competition if they perform well in this IPL. Let’s have a look at four such leggies who can challenge Chahal’s place in the Indian team.
- Shreyas Gopal – Rajasthan Royals:
Shreyas Gopal had a really great season for the Rajasthan Royals in the last IPL. He was one of the few positives for Rajasthan which otherwise was a disappointing season. He picked up 20 wickets in 14 games at an average of 17.35 and an economy of 7.22. His tally of 20 wickets included a hat-trick in which he picked up the wickets of Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, and Marcus Stoinis. He is a smart bowler and can contribute with the bat as well.
He had a really good Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and if he can have another good IPL, he will be pushing the door for an India selection.
- Mayank Markande – Rajasthan Royals
The right-arm leg-spinner who made his name in the 2018 IPL for Mumbai Indians, first got traded to Delhi Capitals who then traded him to Rajasthan Royals. Mayank Markande has played one T20I for India against Australia earlier this year. He had a good debut but wasn’t picked for the next game
Mayank Markande is young and has a bright future ahead of him. He surprised many last year with his control and variations. He had a dream debut against Chennai Super Kings as he picked up three wickets including the big one of MS Dhoni.
Markande has been fairly successful at the domestic level and it won’t be a surprise if he challenges the senior spinners of the team.
- Ravi Bishnoi – Kings XI Punjab:
Ravi Bishnoi is the new young sensation in the leg-spinners gang. The U-19 player who was fabulous in the World Cup will play for the Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming IPL.
In the recently concluded U-19 World Cup, he was the leading wicket-taker as he picked up 17 wickets in just 6 games. Bishnoi bought his team back in the Final as he picked up four wickets in quick succession. He has impressed many people with his control and the Wrong’un. There is still a long way for the young leg-spinner but if he can back his World Cup performance with a good IPL there will be thoughts given over his selection.
- Rahul Chahar – Mumbai Indians:
The most impressive leggies among all those been listed here has been Deepak Chahar’s cousin brother, Rahul Chahar. The young leg-spinner was the find of the last year’s IPL as he was brilliant throughout the season.
In IPL 2019, he picked up 13 wickets in 13 games at an economy rate of just 6.55. He curtailed some high-quality batsmen in the IPL. The 20-year-old leg-spinner has represented India in one T20I against West Indies.
Chahar has been retained by the Mumbai Indians and he will their key weapon when it comes to spin bowling. If Chahar has a good IPL, he can give some competition to Yuzvendra Chahal.
