IPL 2019: One bowler from each team who could be used as a trump card

When Sri Lanka met India in a Super Four game of Asia Cup 2008, they ended up losing the game by 6 wickets even after scoring a par score of 308 in the first innings. Fast forward to the final, the result was completely different. After setting a moderate target of 274, Sri Lanka restricted the formidable Indian batting line up to a paltry score of 173 and won the game by a huge margin of 100 runs.

One player who proved to be the difference was the mystery spinner from Sri Lanka, Ajantha Mendis. Sri Lanka did not play him in the earlier game despite the fact that he was their key bowler in the tournament. That actually proved to be a masterstroke since Indian batsmen had no clue about the variety that Mendis had in store and ended up losing wickets in clusters.

Cometh IPL 2019, Captains from each team might have some interesting bowling options close to their chest whom they might use as a trump card in crunch situations. Here is our attempt to list out the bowlers who could be the potential surprise weapon from each IPL side.

#1 Royal Challengers Bangalore: Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar is a very good option with the ball

When Washington Sundar was picked by RCB last year, it was expected that he would be used as a potential weapon with the ball. After proving his mettle with the ball in the World Cup U19, Sundar himself would have expected a better outing in the IPL. But he could not manage to perform to the best of his abilities.

Considering the fact that almost all IPL teams have left-handers in their top order, Washington Sundar could easily be used in the powerplay to restrict the flow of runs and get early breakthroughs.

The accuracy with which he bowls the off-spinners makes it really tough for the batsmen to score runs freely, making him one of the natural choices to be used in the initial 6 overs.

#2 Chennai Super Kings: Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner should have made his IPL debut last year if not for the untimely injury that ruled him out of the entire season. With Imran Tahir making himself available and Ravindra Jadeja being an integral part of the playing XI, Santner's wait for IPL debut may be extended further.

But, MS Dhoni can very well use him as a potential weapon in a pitch which turns square. Considering his ability to outsmart the batsmen in spinning conditions, he is definitely a worthy candidate to be played in pitches that assist spin. Who can forget his 4-11 against the strong Indian batting line up in Nagpur?

#3 Mumbai Indians: Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh is more than handy with the ball

At the end of the first round in IPL auction, the T20 star from India remained unsold. When his future in cricket looked bleak, Mumbai Indians decided to buy him at his base price. Even after being drafted into the squad, there were doubts in the minds of cricket pundits if Yuvraj will get a spot in the playing XI.

All those doubts got disappeared when he played his first game in MI colors against Delhi Capitals and ended up scoring a solid 50 with the bat. Now that his confidence is back, we certainly expect him to explore the other aspects of his game too. The Man of the Series from India's successful 2011 World cup campaign has two IPL hat-tricks and a total of 36 wickets to his name.

Even though his bowling has become sporadic in recent times, an able captain like Rohit Sharma will definitely look to utilize the star to the fullest. Although it is far-fetched, we won't be entirely surprised if Yuvraj ends up picking another hat-trick this season making him the joint most to do so in the IPL history!

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#4 Kolkata Knight Riders: Harry Gurney

Harry Gurney can generate deadly pace and bounce

The left-arm pacer from England came into the limelight courtesy of his consistent showing in the Natwest T20 Vitality Blast. He also made his BBL debut this past season for Melbourne Renegades and proved to be a valuable addition to their side. He will now be waiting to make his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders.

KKR's love for pace has always been evident by the bowlers they prefer a lot in IPL auctions. Since they are dented by the loss of some key Indian pace bowlers and Anrich Nortje from South Africa to injury even before the start of the tournament, the chance of Gurney making it to the XI looks a lot more promising.

Since most of the seasoned T20 campaigners like Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan etc., has always found life difficult against left-arm pacers, Gurney could very well be utilized by Dinesh Karthik as their trump card to pick wickets at the top.

#5 Kings XI Punjab: Hardus Viljoen

Hardus Viljoen - Another promising pacer from South Africa

After proving his worth in various T20 leagues across the globe, Hardus Viljoen from South Africa will be plying his trade in the cash-rich league this year for Kings XI Punjab. To his credit, he has a total of 98 wickets in 87 T20 games that he has played so far. He can easily generate pace and bounce that prevents batsmen from scoring the runs freely.

Considering the fact that the Kings XI Punjab lack a bowler who could bowl at sheer pace and get them early breakthroughs, Viljoen could be picked in the XI in pitches where there is a good amount of pace and bounce on offer.

On his given day, Viljeon can easily go past the bats of even the greatest batsmen and rattle the stumps at ease.

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#6 Rajasthan Royals: Oshane Thomas

Oshane Thomas was at his best against England

Latest sensation from Windies, Oshane Thomas is slowly setting his feet at the international level. His exploits with the ball for the Windies while touring India not only yielded him a regular spot in Windies team, but also a buyer in IPL action in the form of Rajasthan Royals.

RR is very well known for grooming young talents from all over the world and this year they have another young prospect in hand in the form of Oshane Thomas. Jofra Archer is the sure starter in the early stages of the tournament. However, Thomas will likely be used by Rahane in pitches where his contribution is demanded the most.

#7 Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma

Another young talent from the school of Rahul Dravid

Abhishek Sharma finds a new home this season after playing for Delhi Capitals last year. We were shocked to see that Delhi did not use Abhishek Sharma as a bowler. He would be hoping to have some overs against his name this year to showcase the skills he possesses.

With Shakib Al Hasan being injury prone, experienced Shabhaz Nadeem would most likely be preferred as the spin partner for Rashid Khan. But, there can be times when the team management would decide to go with the youngster, trusting his ability with the ball.

Those who have been watching India U19 team's performance in the recent past would be aware of the potential this youngster possess and Kane Williamson or Bhuvneshwar Kumar can easily trust him to prove his mettle at the bigger stage.

#8 Delhi Capitals: Keemo Paul

Another promising bowler from Carribean soil enters our list. Keemo Paul will be a part of revamped Delhi setup and will have a tough fight with a number of quality Indian pacers in the squad to find himself a spot in the playing XI.

Shreyas Iyer enters the tournament with a key role of pulling his team back from beneath and increasing their case of winning the trophy. In the path towards his goal, he will likely make some unexpected decisions whenever the situation demands one.

Keemo Paul could get his opportunity on one such occasion and in all likelihood, he will pay back the captain's trust.

That concludes the list of bowlers who could be used as a surprise weapon in this year's IPL by each team's captain.

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