IPL 2018: 5 Indian spinners to watch out for

The new rules and heavy bats might have made life a lot easier for batsmen, however, at the end of the day a maiden over or a hat-trick can give a 180-degree turn to the course of a game and can easily overrule the effects of a scintillating batting performance.

Though pace bowlers generally open the innings with the ball and also handle the tough task of bowling toe-crushing yorkers towards the death, spinners control the middle overs and have an instrumental role to play in team's performance.

In the IPL, middle overs matter a lot, and spinners have a tough job restrict the run flow and pick up wickets to keep their team afloat in the game.

With less than seven days remaining in the great grand cricketing carnival. The spinners' role will surely be crucial for most of the teams.

We look at five Indian spinners who have an important role to play for their respective teams and have a lot riding on their head.

Note: All stats are accurate as of 30 March 2018

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#5 Rahul Chahar

Mumbai Indians will be having a lot of expectations from Rahul Chahar

The 18-year-old leggie made his IPL debut in the previous season for Rising Pune Supergiant. Although he made only three appearances, he bowled a couple of tight spells. This time around the young spinner has a big responsibility at hand as he is the lone specialist spinner in the Mumbai Indians squad.

Akila Dhanajaya is the only notable spinner with some international exposure in the whole Mumbai line-up.

With the presence of experienced overseas players like Kieron Pollard, JP Duminy, Pat Cummins and Evin Lewis, the chances of Dhanajaya getting a place in the squad looks very slim. It essentially means that the young leggie from Rajasthan will have to bring his best game out for the defending champions.

It will be enthralling to see how the young spinner takes up to the daunting job of leading the spin attack for Mumbai.

#4 Krishnappa Gowtham

Gowtham has not yet made his debut in IPL

The Karnataka all-rounder made some big money in the IPL Auction 2018. The 29-year-old player fetched Rs. 6.2 Crores which was 31 times his base price of Rs. 20 lakhs. Rajasthan Royals, like Mumbai, lack a specialist spinner which seems to be the biggest weakness in their squad.

The amount spent on him by Rajasthan Royals guarantees his place in the starting XI, at least for a few games at the start. Gowtham will be hoping to repay the faith that the franchise has bestowed on him with some impactful performances.

The all-rounder has represented India A in the past and has also shared the dressing room with some of the IPL greats, as he was the part of the Mumbai Indians in the last season.

#3 Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar was phenomenal in the Nidahas Trophy

India's superstar in the Nidahas Trophy, Washington Sundar performed brilliantly throughout the series. Sundar was effective, bowling the tough overs right at the start, with an economy of under 6.

His ability to take up to every thrown task has impressed everyone.Though the all-rounder has made only seven international appearances, the 18-year-old is already making waves in the international cricket. If there was a fraction of doubt regarding his place in the RCB team, Sundar answered it through his exceptional performance in the tri-series.

RCB must be overwhelmed to see Sundar doing very well for the national team. Together with Yuzvendra Chahal, these two make a formidable duo which will be a treat to watch.

#2 Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja has been out of the national team for some time now

Once a certainty in the national side, Jadeja has found the going a bit tough in the past year. The all-rounder has played only 15 ODI games since the start of 2016. The tournament is really very important for Jadeja if he wants to make a comeback into the national side. A good performance will surely bring him back to the selector's radar.

With the ability to contribute some important runs towards the fag end of the innings and to pull out stunners in the field does make him valuable.

Jadeja can be an important prospect for the national side in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. The all-rounder was an integral part of India's Champions Trophy winning side in 2013 which was fixtured in England itself.

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin has a dual role to play in the IPL 11

There is no denying the fact that Ravichandran Ashwin is the best spinner that India has produced over the past decade.

A street-smart cricketer, Ashwin has more than 500 international wickets to his name. However, he has witnessed a decline in his cricketing form which has resulted in his exclusion from the national team in the shorter formats.

His never-give-up attitude can still offer him a place in the national side. Ashwin will be itching to come out all guns blazing in the 11th season, and with an added responsibility as the skipper of the KXIP side, he is definitely a player to watch out for.