3 Indian fast bowlers who have struggled to pick up wickets in IPL 2023

The 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen many spin-friendly venues, including Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow. That has been reflected in the way fast bowlers have performed this year.

Only six fast bowlers - Mohammad Shami, Tushar Deshpande, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Mohit Sharma and Harshal Patel - are part of the top 15 wicket-takers of IPL 2023. Even among these six, three have an economy rate higher than 9.

Understandably, a few big names have seen their numbers nosedive in the season. Here are three Indian fast bowlers who have struggled to pick up wickets so far in IPL 2023.

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#3 Shardul Thakur | KKR

Shardul Thakur's role in the KKR lineup is yet to be ascertained

Traded in ahead of IPL 2023 from the Delhi Capitals (DC), Shardul Thakur has been used in a variety of ways by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Thakur's role at his new franchise hasn't yet been ascertained. He has bowled with the new ball, in the middle overs and at the death, and in some games he hasn't even been asked to roll his arm over. In the batting department, meanwhile, the all-rounder has occasionally been promoted up the order at will.

Thakur's returns reflect the lack of clarity surrounding his role. The 31-year-old has never been the most economical T20 bowler, but the wickets column doesn't look too healthy either. In seven matches, he has returned just four scalps at an economy rate of 10.78.

Thakur did pick up a couple of wickets in KKR's previous game, though, and his performances with the ball could improve as the tournament reaches its conclusion.

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#2 Umesh Yadav | KKR

Umesh Yadav's usual penetration in the powerplay has been sorely lacking

Thakur's teammate, Umesh Yadav, has endured a season riddled with inconsistency and injury. The fast bowler is currently recovering from a hamstring issue and his participation in the World Test Championship final is in doubt.

Umesh couldn't make an impact even when he was fit, though. In eight matches for the Knight Riders, he picked up just one wicket at an economy rate of 9.94. The veteran's bowling average stands at a miserable 189, with KKR suffering in the absence of his penetration in the powerplay.

Umesh has always been a rather limited T20 bowler, and he won't be of much use to the side if he doesn't provide early breakthroughs. Kolkata have since moved on to younger, more versatile options like Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana.

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#1 Deepak Chahar | CSK

Deepak Chahar has picked up just two wickets this season

Deepak Chahar has played just five matches for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since being picked for a monstrous amount at the IPL 2022 auction. He missed the entirety of the previous season with injury and has missed a few games this year as well.

Unfortunately, Chahar has been way off the pace in IPL 2023. The swing bowler went wicketless in his first four matches before finally providing a couple of breakthroughs against the Mumbai Indians (MI). His economy rate currently stands at a miserable 9.56.

Chahar doesn't seem to be at full fitness at the moment, and CSK will want him to reach his peak as the business end of the competition approaches.