Ahead of the second leg of Indian T20 League 2021, several top cricketers have opted out of the remainder of the high-profile tournament due to either injury or bio-bubble fatigue. These developments have forced the Indian T20 League franchises to look for replacement players before the tournament resumes in UAE on September 19. 

As many as 15 replacement players have been officially announced by the franchises. They will have an opportunity to showcase their talent ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in Oman and UAE.

Virat Kohli-led Bangalore have witnessed the maximum pullouts among the franchises. Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson and Finn Allen have opted out of the remainder of the tournament and have been replaced by Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, George Garton and Tim David.

Bangalore will also miss the services of their injured Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar. Akash Deep has been named as Sundar’s replacement.

Inaugural champions Rajasthan suffered a massive blow as their star players Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler won’t feature in the second leg of the tournament. While New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Glenn Phillips will replace Archer, South Africa chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi and Oshane Thomas have been named replacement players for Tye and Stokes. 

Meanwhile, Punjab have officially signed Australian pacer Nathan Ellis in place of his compatriot Riley Meredith while England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has been named Jhye Richardson’s replacement. The Punjab franchise has also been forced to add South Africa opener Aiden Markram in their squad after England’s David Malan decided to withdraw from the tournament.

Two-time champions Kolkata have named New Zealand pacer Tim Southee as a replacement player for their star fast bowler Pat Cummins, while Delhi have roped in Australia’s Ben Dwarshuis in place of England pacer Chris Woakes.

Full list of replacement players for Indian T20 League 2021 in UAE

Team	Injured / Replaced Player	Replacement Player
Delhi	Chris Woakes	Ben Dwarshuis
Bangalore	Adam Zampa	Wanindu Hasaranga
Bangalore	Daniel Sams	Dushmantha Chameera
Bangalore	Kane Richardson	George Garton
Bangalore	Finn Allen	Tim David
Bangalore	Washington Sundar	Akash Deep
Rajasthan	Jofra Archer	Glenn Phillips
Rajasthan	Andrew Tye	Tabraiz Shamsi
Rajasthan	Ben Stokes	Oshane Thomas
Rajasthan	Jos Buttler	Evin Lewis
Punjab	Riley Meredith	Nathan Ellis
Punjab	Jhye Richardson	Adil Rashid
Punjab	David Malan	Aiden Markram
Hyderabad	Jonny Bairstow	Sherfane Rutherford
Kolkata	Pat Cummins	Tim Southee

Featured photo: ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP

Washington Sundar’s father, M Sundar, has lashed out at the Indian cricket team’s tailenders, stating they couldn’t stay on for even a brief while.

The comments come after the 21-year-old Washington, who shared two crucial partnerships with Rishabh Pant (113), and Axar Patel (106), was left stranded on 96 as India finished their first innings at 365.

After Axar’s dismissal in the 114th over, the next two batsmen in Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj fell in the same over to Ben Stokes, and thus, Washington Sundar failed to convert his knock into a century for the second time in the series after remaining unbeaten on 85 in the first Test in Chennai.

Got to feel for Washington Sundar earlier this morning, chasing a first test match century and stranded on 96*

�?Charlie Beckett (@Charlie_Beckett) March 6, 2021

“I don’t understand why people are surprised at his batting. I have been hearing. He can face the new ball. But we are ready for whatever the Indian team asks him to do,�?his father M. Sundar, who had mixed feelings, told IANS.

“What I am really disappointed about are the tailenders. They couldn’t stay on for even a brief while. Suppose India were playing, needing 10 runs to win, wouldn’t this have been a huge mistake. There are millions of youngsters watching, they shouldn’t learn what the tail-enders did.�?/span>

“It is not about technique or skills. It was a matter of courage. England were tired, Stokes was bowling at 123-126. They were not bowling at lethal pace,�?he said.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the Man of the Series, was appalled that people are putting Washington Sundar in just a bracket of a bowler.

“It is quite surprising (to see people bracketing him as a bowler). Washy (Washington Sundar) bowled in some of the IPL matches this season. He shot to fame because of his bowling in the powerplay. Quite surprising that people don’t recognise that he is a batsman who can bowl,�?said off-spinner R. Ashwin while speaking to the media.

“I am not surprised at his batting because he works really hard at his batting. In fact, we have discussions on how you should bowl more as well. He loves his batting. He is mainly a batsman so I am not surprised at his batting. He is a special batsman,�?Ashwin said.

Washington, who hails from Tamil Nadu, had played just 12 first-class matches before his Test debut in the fourth Test against Australia in January. With his performances in the Test series against England, the 21-year-old hopes he is called an allrounder by onlookers in his future cricket assignments.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Sajjad Hussain

All-rounder Washington Sundar missed out on his maiden Test century by just four runs as the Indian cricket team was dismissed on 365 on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against England at Ahmedabad's Motera Stadium.

The 21-year-old came out to bat on Day 2 when India were reeling on 146/6. He went on to play a brilliant 113-run stand with Rishabh Pant, who scored 101, before playing another century partnership (106) for the eighth wicket with Axar Patel. India looked well on course for a bigger score, but the momentum changed to England's way when Axar Patel was run out by Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root. With two wickets still in hand and the century, a mere four runs away, there was hope.

Ishant Sharma walked in to bat, and Ben Stokes dismissed the lanky bowler with a peach of a delivery. The England all-rounder caught Sharma LBW right on the middle stump. Three deliveries later, Stokes dismissed Mohammed Siraj to end India's innings at 365 runs, and leave Sundar stranded at 96. This is the second time Sundar has missed out on his century, as he remained unbeaten on 85 in the first Test of the ongoing series in Chennai.

You can see the pain on #WashingtonSundar face!

Not century bt not less than Century!#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/6Eiu15pkNV

�?▪️ (@flickofkohli) March 6, 2021

Needless to say, the all-rounder and his teammates would be disappointed with the way how the innings ended, but the pain was shared on social media too. This is how the fans are reacting to it;

Surely all cricket fans feel bad for Washington Sundar�?genuine talent…played great once again, but stranded AGAIN�?so close to a maiden test ton.

Will make many in the future

�?Rob Moody (@robelinda2) March 6, 2021

Uh, oh, #WashingtonSundar stranded on 96. What a travesty. Had played superbly

�?Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 6, 2021

Washington Sundar's father to Axar, Ishant and Siraj. pic.twitter.com/68EvldN0Q5

�?Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) March 6, 2021

Washington Sundar is left stranded on 96 at the non-striker's end as he, once again, runs out of partners

But what an innings, he has put #TeamIndia in the driving seat after walking out in a difficult situation

- 365 (114.4)#INDvENG

�?Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 6, 2021

Washington Sundar appreciation tweet

Very very well played #INDvENG #OrangeArmy #KeepRising

�?SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 6, 2021

Feel for Washington Sundar, missed out on a well deserving century. What a knock by him, 96 not out! Hope his father won't be disappointed this time.

�?Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 6, 2021

85* in the first Test.
96* in the fourth Test.

Washington Sundar missed out two hundreds in the series as both times he run-out of partners at the other end.

�?Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 6, 2021

pic.twitter.com/weMeJyUzoY

�?शशां�?शेखर (@Ishashank16) March 6, 2021

Axar, Ishant and Siraj next time they meet Washington's father at a function
But seriously this 96* is no less than a hundred, very well played @Sundarwashi5 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/V6qRXBbwfl

�?Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 6, 2021

I Sharma and Siraj fall quickly. Sundar misses out on his century! He walks off 96*. Feel devastated for him! But it’s his highest Test score. What a brilliant young talent he is! On ya Washi! A delight to watch. HUGE things coming for him. India leads by 160. #INDvENG

�?Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 6, 2021

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / BCCI

Coming into bat when the Indian cricket team was struggling at 80/4, Rishabh Pant wasted little time to get into his groove as he brought up his third Test century in 115 balls.

Forging a timely 113-run stand with Washington Sundar, Pant hit 13 boundaries and two sixes to take the control away from England’s hand as India led by 89 runs at the end of Day 2 at the Motera Stadium.

Twitter couldn’t get enough of Pant’s brave and cavalier knock that hogged all the limelight.

Rishabh Pant brings up his hundred with a SIX

A sensational knock from the India batsman!#INDvENG | http://t.co/6OuUwURcgX pic.twitter.com/b04djHMikJ

�?ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2021

Rishabh Ridiculous Pant #INDvENG
#RishabhPantpic.twitter.com/BlfHJcDTxV

�?¶ Mahesh ¶ (@CloudyMahesh) March 5, 2021

Rishabh Pant, you mad genius! Stepping out and hitting Anderson. #INDvENG #INDvsENG #RishabhPant #testcricket

�?Tarun Makhni (@MakhniTarun) March 5, 2021

Stokes is giving his everything!!
Whatta player!!
But Pant has countered everything thrown at him!! This guy is crazy!! ABSOLUTE MADNESS!! @benstokes38 @RishabhPant17 @bhogleharsha #INDvsENG #INDvENG

�?Shubham Misra (@SBM_4007) March 5, 2021

Sundar played a significant inning late in the batting order yet again, as he remained unbeaten on 60 runs, his third fifty-plus score for the nation, at the end of Day 2.

The left-handers are having a party in Ahmedabad!

A top knock - his third fifty in only six Test innings - from Washington Sundar http://t.co/QzjBfWfJck | #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/AvnWhj6nBJ

�?ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 5, 2021

While India’s lower batting order bailed the team out yet again, fans turned to the middle order stars, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, who failed to fire yet again. After Pujara fell to Jack Leach in the morning session, captain Kohli was dismissed for a duck leaving his team in a precarious position once again.

Most Ducks in World Test Championship (Indians)

4 - Virat Kohli*
4 - Jasprit Bumrah
3 - Mohd Shami
3 - C Pujara#INDvENG

�?CricBeat (@Cric_beat) March 5, 2021

Pujara hasn't got a Test 100 since Jan 2019.

Virat hasn't got a Test 100 since Nov 2019.

Rahane hasn't scored a Test 100 on home soil since 2016.

Shambles.

�?Yash Mittal (@im_yash2307) March 5, 2021

Watch the Reaction of my sister after Virat Kohli has been Got Out by Ben stocks. @BCCI
Virat 0(7) Duck#INDvsEND #KingKohli #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/FIACpJZfqC

�?Sujal Jaiswal (@sujal_jaiswal16) March 5, 2021

Unlike Lyon, Leach has not allowed Pujara to come down the pitch & defend him too much. All Pujara’s dismissal this series against Leach have been when he has been forced to defend from the crease. #INDvsENG

�?Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 5, 2021

With hosts India in firm control of the test match after Day 2, Kohli and Co. will look to wrap it up as fast as possible and seal a place in the World Test Championship final.

Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Sajjad Hussain

The Indian cricket team, on Tuesday, became the first side in 32 years to beat Australia at the Gabba, as they won the fourth and the final Test of the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy by three wickets to clinch the series 2-1. 

Ajinkya Rahane’s men rode at the back of stellar innings by Shubhman Gill (91) and Rishabh Pant (89*), as the Australian bowlers failed to make any sort of impact against a relatively inexperienced India side. India needed 328 runs in 97 overs on the final day with everyone expecting the visitors to go for a draw. But, contrary to popular assumption, the Indian batting contingent turned the tides, especially in the final 10 overs of the day, to pick up a stunning victory.

A historic Test at the Gabba in Brisbane produced several moments of magic, and thus, it is bound to churn interesting statistics. Here we look at a few of them:

India’s victories in Australia

A victory at the Gabba means Indian have registered victories in all five Australian venues where they have played 2 or more Tests. Their record is as follows:

• 4 wins at Melbourne Cricket Ground
• 2 wins at Adelaide
• 1 win at Sydney Cricket Ground
• 1 win at WACA Perth
• 1 win at Brisbane

Most consecutive Test series wins by visiting teams in Australia
Team	Series	Seasons
England	3	1884/85 (3-2), 1886/87 (2-0) & 1887/88 (1-0)
England	2	1928/29 (4-1) & 1932/33 (4-1)
West Indies	3	1984/85 (3-1), 1988/89 (3-1) & 1992/93 (2-1)
South Africa	3*	2008/09 (2-1), 2012/13 (1-0) & 2016/17 (2-1)
India	2*	2018/19 (2-1) & 2020/21 (2-1)

Back to back series wins for India in Australia have made them only the fourth visiting team to achieve the feat. Furthermore, the 325 runs that India scored on Day 5 is the third-most runs scored by any team on the final day to win the Test. At this particular venue, the Gabba, 328 is now the highest successful chase.

Mohammed Siraj - One of India’s brightest stars

After Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj had an underwhelming outing in Sydney Test, the 26-year-old drilled through the Australian batting line-up to pick up his maiden five-wicket haul. Siraj has played only the third Test of his career and is already the fifth Indian bowler - and first since 2003 - to pick five wickets in Brisbane.

5-Wicket haul for India at Brisbane
Player	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Inns	Start Date
Erapalli Prasanna	33.4	104	6	3	19 January 1968
Bishan Singh Bedi	13.7	55	5	1	02 December 1977
Madan Lal	19.0	72	5	3	02 December 1977
Zaheer Khan	23.0	95	5	1	04 December 2003
Mohammed Siraj	19.5	73	5	3	15 January 2021

His contribution made India the first team to take 20 wickets of Australia in Brisbane since 2008 after New Zealand. Furthermore, this is only the third time that India has bowled out Australia in both the innings of a Test match in Brisbane after 1977 and 1968.

Siraj finished the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy with 13 wickets, most by any Indian bowler in the series.

The underrated returns of Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur

Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur played a match-defining partnership of 123 for the seventh wicket to take India from 186/6 to 309/7 while they were reducing a lead of 369 runs in the first innings. While Sundar scored 62, Thakur accumulated 67.

Partners	Runs	Inns	Ground	Start Date
R Jadeja/R Pant	204	1	Sydney	03 January 2019
H Adhikari/V Hazare	132	3	Adelaide	23 January 1948
S Thakur/W Sundar	123	2	Brisbane	15 January 2021
M Azharuddin/M Prabhakar	101	4	Adelaide	25 January 1992
K Ghavri/S Kirmani	81	2	Sydney	07 January 1978

Sundar picked four wickets in the final Test and made a half-century as well, which made him only the fifth visiting cricketer to score a fifty and take four or more wickets on his Test debut in Australia - a first on this list since 1924. The 21-year-old was particularly devastating against Nathan Lyon, whom he hit for seven boundaries and one six. Furthermore, he’s only the fifth Indian to score fifty on debut Test at 7th position.

Fifty on debut Test for India at 7th position
Player	Runs	Inns	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
Dilawar Hussain	57	3rd	v England	Kolkata	05 January 1934
Yuvraj of Patiala	60	4th	v England	Chennai	10 February 1934
Bapu Nadkarni	68*	2nd	v New Zealand	Delhi	16 December 1955
Rahul Dravid	95	2nd	v England	Lord's	20 June 1996
Washington Sundar	62	2nd	v Australia	Brisbane	15 January 2021

As for Thakur, he smashed the majority of his runs (29) against Pat Cummins who is the leading wicket-taker of the series. He became the eighth Indian to score a fifty at the 8th position in Australia. Thakur was equally brilliant with the ball, picking seven wickets - the most by any Indian pacer at Brisbane in a Test. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP /David Kapernick

Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar have set a new record for the highest seventh-wicket partnership for India at The Gabba on Sunday. 

The duo stitched an extraordinary 123-run partnership for the seventh wicket against Australia on Day 3 of the fourth and final Test in Brisbane.

stand between this duo

How many retweets for this brilliant partnership?#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/wbgYncJYlq

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 17, 2021

With the visitors reeling at 186/6 after losing set batsman Mayank Agarwal and Rishabh Pant early in the second session, Sundar and Thakur shared a 100-plus stand to drag India back into the Brisbane Test.

In the process, the duo shattered a 30-year-old record held previously by former India skipper Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar who had registered the highest seventh-wicket partnership for the visitors in Brisbane, scoring 58 runs in 1991.

Interestingly, Sundar-Thakur’s 123-run stand is also the third-highest 100-plus seventh-wicket partnership for the visitors in Australia after Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja's 204 in Sydney 2018-19 and 132 by Vijay Hazare and Hemu Adhikari in Adelaide 1947-48.

Twitter hailed the extraordinary partnership of Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar at The Gabba.

India regular captain Virat Kohli was impressed by Sundar-Thakur's outstanding partnership and he took to Twitter to appreciate the duo.

Outstanding application and belief by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. This is what test cricket is all about. Washy top composure on debut and tula parat maanla re Thakur!

�?Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 17, 2021

"Gabba the Dhaba for these two guys. Brilliant from Sundar and Thakur,�?tweeted Virender Sehwag.

Gabba the Dhaba for these two guys.

Brilliant from Sundar and Thakur. pic.twitter.com/NouAYYFyN4

�?Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 17, 2021

Former India batsman VVS Laxman took to Twitter and wrote, “Congrats @Sundarwashi5 & @imShard  on ur maiden Test 50’s. Loved the fight, technique and will power you both. exhibited. Also a good example for young bowlers to work on their batting as you never know when your contribution with the bat will help the team.�?/p>

Congrats @Sundarwashi5 & @imShard on ur maiden Test 50’s. Loved the fight, technique and will power you both exhibited. Also a good example for young bowlers to work on their batting as you never know when your contribution with the bat will help the team. #AUSvIND

�?VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 17, 2021

From net bowlers who arrived for practice to the highest scorers in the innings.
We have to stand up and appreciate one of the most resilient fightbacks! @Sundarwashi5 @imShard#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/W3QlWd2HKC

�?DK (@DineshKarthik) January 17, 2021

Sundar and Shardul have epitomized India's never say die spirit on this fascinating series. Next man up mentality should inspire many other teams never to give in or up.

�?Ian bishop (@irbishi) January 17, 2021

Extremely impressed with the fighting attitude shown by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. They have symbolised what India has been in this series, consistently punching above their weight. It is so satisfying to see.

�?Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 17, 2021

From 186 for 6 to 336 for 10 - India have added 150 runs for the last 4 wickets - All thanks to Sundar and Thakur. India reduced the lead of Australia to 33 runs - Hazlewood with 5 wickets for his brilliant spell.

�?Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 17, 2021

First Thakur now Sundar reaching 50, what a spirited partnership from these two. Australia have spent too long waiting for it to happen! #AUSvIND

�?Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 17, 2021

Meanwhile, Australia have bowled India out for 336 in their first innings and the hosts have taken a 33-run lead in the fourth Test. The ongoing Border-Gavaskar series is currently tied at 1-1.

Feature image courtesy: Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Despite being part of the Indian T20 League since its very first season, Bangalore have never won the title and following their defeat to Hyderabad in the Eliminator, their hopes have been dashed again.

However, Indian T20 League 2020 had well till for Bangalore, and the Virat Kohli-led outfit ended up with a longer stay in the championship this time around at least.

AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli have starred for Bangalore with the bat. Bangalore managed to churn out the best outcome possible as they qualified for the playoffs despite losing their last game of the league stage to Delhi.

Bangalore were looking like a team that could hang around till the end if they played their cards right, but you might be wondering who ended up being the highest run-scorer for Bangalore? Well, here’s a list of players with most runs scored for Bangalore in 2020:

Player	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Devdutt Padikkal	473	31.53	124.80
Virat Kohli	466	42.36	121.35
AB de Villiers	454	45.40	158.74
Aaron Finch	268	22.33	111.20
Shivam Dubey	129	18.42	122.85

Feature image courtesy: Twitter.com / @devdpd07

Necessity is the mother of invention, and in the case of some Indian T20 League teams, it can lead to the discovery of sheer genius on the cricket pitch. When their backs were against the wall, these teams took a chance on change and it paid off in spades.

We look at five instances where replacement players unlocked the key to hidden fortunes for teams that took the chance on them.

Imran Tahir replaced Mitchell Marsh (Pune 2017)

2016 was not a kind year to Pune when it came to injuries and 2017 seemed to follow in the same thread as Mitchell Marsh was out of the picture even before the season got underway. As a replacement, Pune brought in leg-spinner Imran Tahir and the decision seemed to have been the harbinger for a much-needed change in fortunes for the squad, as we'll learn when we go to our next pick. The South African bowled crucial spells, bagging scalps with ruthless efficiency during the middle overs. It culminated in a season that saw him be the best bowler of the team in half the 12 matches he played in, picking up 18 wickets as Pune finished second in the points that season.

Washington Sundar replaced Ravichandran Ashwin (Pune 2017)

The same year as Tahir came in as a super-sub for Pune, they also enjoyed the services of another replacement in Washington Sundar, who was brought in after Ravichandran Ashwin was yet another to have been put out by injury that season. The Indian U-19 player was a boon to sort Pune's opening quandaries that saw their average Powerplay score balloon to as high as 60 till then. Bowling with sublime precision as an opener, Sundar helped Pune clamp their bleeding during Powerplay, finishing the season with an economy rate of 6.16.

Lendl Simmons replaced Jalaj Saxena (Mumbai 2014)

In 2014, Mumbai got off to a start that was highly uncharacteristic of the now four-time Indian T20 League champions, coming up on the losing end in the opening five matches of the season. It was during this phase that they brought in Lendl Simmons to replace Jalaj Saxena to open their batting. The move paid off. Playing with a measured approach, Simmons got Mumbai off to much better starts, with a century against Punjab standing out in particular, and rounded out the season with a 394-run haul from eight matches.

Simmons continued his form the following year, striking up a good partnership with Parthiv Patel at the top and finishing the season second in runs scored behind David Warner and helping Mumbai win their second title.

Doug Bollinger replaced Jacob Oram (Chennai 2010)

Like they are in 2020, Chennai had a wretched start to the season ten years ago in 2010, losing five of their first seven matches, and subsequently, Doug Bollinger was brought in to replace the injured Jacob Oram. Right off the bat, the move paid off, as in his first game, he bowled at 3.75 and bagged the prized scalp of Shane Watson and then took out Yusuf Pathan, changing the course of the contest in Chennai's favour. Then, he beat Deccan in the semi-finals with a 4-1-13-4 spell and topped it off with another outstanding performance to help his side win the final. Bollinger went on to play a key role in Chennai defending the title the following year, as he picked up 17 wickets.

Chris Gayle replaced Dirk Nannes (Bangalore 2011)

Bangalore snared up Chris Gayle at the last moment in 2011 after most of the other teams gave him a miss due to his international commitments that were soon to become a non-factor anyway after he fell out with the Windies Cricket Board. Living up to his surname, Gayle brought in a storm of runs for Bangalore and won the Orange Cap that year and the next. Between 2011-13, Gayle racked up an astounding 2049 runs in 43 matches, peppered by four tons and 14 half-centuries.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Sajjad Hussain

Bangalore and Delhi have had pretty good Indian T20 League seasons so far. While the batsmen and especially the pace bowling has fired for both teams, what's gone under the radar are two of the sidekicks in the team - the stump-to-stump spinners Washington Sundar and Axar Patel.

Bangalore have Yuzvendra Chahal and Delhi have Ravichandran Ashwin, and earlier Amit Mishra, in the team and the second spinners do not really hog the headlines as much unless they do really well.

That's exactly what Sundar and Axar have been doing so far, despite their contrasting roles in the team. Bowling stump-to-stump channels have been their forte and in this season so far, no spinners have bowled a higher percentage of good length balls as these two.

The success of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel have been built on being able to land the ball in that same spot over and over.

More than 80% of the balls by these two have landed on a good length in #IPL2020

How will Sundar fare vs Gayle today?#RCBvKXIP #DCvRR pic.twitter.com/BQnVAwBabk

�?Stat Doctor (@stat_doctor) October 15, 2020

Washington Sundar, the Powerplay specialist

Washington Sundar is a Powerplay specialist and has been used to curb scoring rates and pick up the odd wicket in the first six overs. After being underused in the 2019 edition, Sundar has fit in snugly in the Bangalore setup as their spinner inside the first six overs and immediately after.

Sundar has bowled 11 overs in the Powerplay this season, leaking just 50 runs and taking three wickets. His economy rate of 4.55 is the best among all bowlers - pace or spin - to have bowled at least 20 balls inside the first six overs.

The only other bowler to clock an economy of under five in this phase in the 2020 edition of the season so far is Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has been ruled out. Sundar has made minimal fuss in the Bangalore setup but been really effective in allowing the other bowlers to attack from the other end.

Sundar has also been used to match-up against left-handers. Although his economy against left and right-handed batsmen are nearly the same, Sundar, surprisingly, takes wickets at a better average against right-handers this season.

In the middle overs immediately after, Sundar continues to be effective and leaks runs at just 5.27, the fifth-best by any bowler in the middle-overs phase. The only other Indian spinner in the top six is Axar Patel.

Axar Patel, the run-containing wicket-taker

Axar Patel was once considered a serious prospect in the Indian limited-overs sides. A stump-to-stump spinner, Axar also had a quickish action and getting underneath his quick balls wasn't easy. He soon became one-dimensional, though, but has revamped this season to bowl really smart.

From clever and subtle pace variations to tying down the batsmen with his usual lines, Axar has developed into an indispensable middle overs bowler for Delhi this year.

In the 2020 edition of the Indian T20 League, Axar has bowled with an economy of 4.79 in the middle overs, which is bettered only by Jofra Archer who has 4.50.

The most economical spinner in this phase, Axar has just three wickets in the 14 overs he has bowled so far. He has also been used in a split way across the middle overs too.

Splitting the middle overs to overs 6-10 and 11-15, Axar has conceded 49 in nine overs in the first phase. After the 11th over, Axar improves with three wickets at an average of 16.7 and an economy rate of 5.56.

The two have bowled outstandingly well, knowing their limitations, and as a result, thrived in the respective roles assigned to them by their franchises.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter.com / Bangalore, AFP / Xavier Galiana

The 2020 edition of the Indian T20 League has seen some top-class performances by teams, especially with their bowling attacks showing more potency than ever. From Delhi to Mumbai and Bangalore, the bowling attacks have been super impressive this season.

While Mumbai and Delhi have banked upon their strong overseas pace bowlers for maximising returns, Bangalore have relied on overall quality, variety and using players in specific roles, barring the minor game plans taken on instinct.

There's no answer to what an ideal T20 bowling attack should or could look like. But if one were to be drawn up, it would likely look very similar to that of Bangalore's.

What makes Bangalore the most dangerous bowling team in this season of the Indian T20 League when bowling was always their concern?

Mix of pace and spin in powerplay

In Washington Sundar, they have one of the biggest spin bowling assets in the first six overs in the competition. Sundar has the best economy among bowlers bowling at least 20 overs inside the powerplay this season and is also mighty effective against left and right-handed batsmen.

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Complementing Sundar perfectly is the combination of Isuru Udana and Chris Morris. While Morris swings the ball upfront, Udana offers left-arm pace variation and is also capable of swinging the ball back into the right-handers or changing up with a slower one. Add Mohammad Siraj and Navdeep Saini's extra pace and bounce and you have a quality powerplay bowling group that not only takes wickets but also keeps the opposition batting in check.

Leg-spinner in the middle and more spin

Bangalore are blessed to have one of the best leggies today in this format in world cricket. Yuzvendra Chahal turns the ball big when there is purchase, but also has a wily googly, smart line and pace variations and is more than capable of breaking partnerships in the middle overs. Add in Sundar bowling a few in the middle and Navdeep Saini, Mohammad Siraj and Chris Morris to step up the heat and that's a  pretty handy T20 bowling attack already.

That Bangalore can counter middle-order batsman with spin and pace weaknesses and also tackle both left and right-handed batsmen with spin back-ups makes this a rather flexible bowling unit.  From hit-the-deck Indian pacers to overseas pacers capable of varying pace and bowling yorkers, Bangalore has them all. 

The death solution

Bangalore have always had trouble curbing the scoring rate in the death overs. While a lot of that was left unsolved this season too, the recovery and return of Morris has made Bangalore incredibly strong in this phase.

In the last couple of post-match presentation ceremonies, Virat Kohli has stressed on the importance of having someone like Morris in their bowling unit. A pacer who can swing the ball upfront and nail the Yorkers in the end, Morris meets most criteria and can consider himself to be a certain starter through the season.

Now with Morris doing well in the death, Bangalore can use Saini's hit-the-deck lengths and Isuru Udana's pace variations. Chahal can also come in for an over immediately after the middle overs phase if the set batsmen aren't too sure against spin. 

With back-up players in the quality of Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn and Adam Zampa, Bangalore seem to have covered all bases. It's possibly just about picking the perfect XI, and not obsessing over the batting front of things.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @IndianT20League