IPL 2018: The top tactical decisions that went under the radar

#6 Kings XI's use of the mystery spinner

The less-popular but equally effective youngster from Afghanistan. You all know the other person

When IPL 2018 began, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was far from well-known in India. Nowhere close to Chris Gayle anyway. And so when Kings XI picked the mystery spinner ahead of the West Indian opener for their first game of the season, more than a few eyebrows were raised. Not for too long, though, as he restricted Delhi Daredevils on debut with figures of 4-0-28-2.

He was given the last over of the match, with DD needing 17 to win off it, and with mighty Shreyas Iyer on strike. However, the young lad, who broke the world record earlier that day for the youngest-ever to appear in international T20s, maintained his resolve, sending Iyer into the hands of Aaron Finch at deep-mid on in the last ball, and winning the game for Punjab.

In a tournament where captains rationed their use of attacking spinners in the powerplay, Ashwin routinely tossed the ball to Mujeeb in the first six, and the results showed: even with runs leaking in the other end, Mujeeb was able to control it from his side, thereby bringing a balance for Punjab to work upon. All of this is in addition to Mujeeb executing his primary role of bowling through the middle overs to perfection.

His importance was much understood in his absence during the back-end of the tournament, as Kings XI's bowling attack, with the exception of Andrew Tye, struggled. Punjab, who looked well into qualifying for the playoffs at one stage, lost five matches in a row and bowed out of the competition.