After a lot of postponing and delaying the 13th season of the IPL is finally taking place. Teams will leave India and reach UAE by 26th August where they have to serve a 6-7-day quarantine before starting their training. There is still a month to go for the IPL but the excitement is starting to rise.
All the fans are excited to see their favorites players back in action and that too in the shortest format. You get to see many new tactics and surprises in the shortest format. One of the things which we like to see is the concept of pinch hitters. Pinch hitters are those players who primary bowlers but are sent up the order to score some quick runs.
So, it doesn’t even matter if they get out because they are just there to confuse the opposition. So, let’s have a look at 4 bowlers who can be used as pinch hitters in this IPL season.
- Harshal Patel – Delhi Capitals
Harshal Patel is a decent batsman and can hit the long ball. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when he played for Haryana, he used to open the batting and he scored heavily for his team. In fact, DC has used him as a pinch-hitter in one game where he was fairly successful.
Delhi Capitals have a lot of openers so he might not be able to open the batting but he can be used as a pinch hitter in the middle-overs to take on the spinners.
- Krishnappa Gowtham – Kings XI Punjab
Krishnappa Gowtham was transferred from Rajasthan Royals to Kings XI Punjab. He is primary an off-spinner but more than handy with the bat. He has already made a huge impact in the IPL with the bat.
He has played some classic cameos for Rajasthan Royals in the last couple of seasons. KXIP can use him smartly and not waste his batting abilities. Just like DC, he might not be able to open the batting but he can be used in the middle-overs to create havoc.
- Shardul Thakur – Chennai Super Kings
All the Indian cricket fans know what Shardul Thakur is capable of doing with the bat. Even though he couldn’t score off the last ball of the 2019 IPL Final, he is a better batsman than that.
He has played some crucial knocks for India which have turned the games in India’s favor. CSK has the option to use him as a pinch hitter. Anyways he doesn’t get much batting down the order, so it wouldn’t matter even if he gets out.
CSK doesn’t like to change their combination but they can use him up the order once in a while to surprise the opposition.
- Rashid Khan – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Rashid Khan has proved himself with the bat on many occasions. In this year’s BBL, he played some great innings which included some breath-taking shots.
He has the capability of taking down any bowler on his day. SRH will miss the services of both their openers at the start of the season, so they can think of using Rashid Khan as an opener for the first couple of matches. He could play a similar role as Sunil Narine.
Rashid Khan is such a player who won’t waste any balls. He will either hit it out of the park or himself get out. It would be great fun to watch Rashid Khan being used as a pinch hitter in this IPL.
