IPL 2021: Predicting and ranking the new-ball bowling pairs of all 8 teams

#4 KKR - Pat Cummins and Shivam Mavi

Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins is one of the best exponents of the new cherry in world cricket. But barring a fiery spell against the Rajasthan Royals, the Aussie quick couldn't really leave a mark in the previous season.

Alongside Shivam Mavi, who exceeded expectations with the new ball last year, Cummins will spearhead the KKR charge. The two-time IPL champions have a number of other players capable of taking the new ball such as Prasidh Krishna and Sunil Narine, but they should stick to their tried-and-tested pair.

Cummins and Mavi are a capable combination of youth and experience, and can be backed to do well in IPL 2021.

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#3 SRH - Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sandeep Sharma

SRH's Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma was one of the most underrated performers in IPL 2020. The medium pacer has found a way to overcome his natural limitations with pace, relying on an assortment of smart variations and swing.

While Sandeep has a lot of competition in the pace department at SRH, his brilliant campaign five months should help him get the nod.

Partnering him will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is in terrific form. SRH have a solid new-ball pair, which isn't really a surprise as they always have.

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#2 DC - Kagiso Rabada and Ishant Sharma

DC's Kagiso Rabada

Ishant Sharma missed most of the previous season with injury, but he should return to take his place in the DC playing XI. The Indian Test spearhead has found a renewed lease of life in the T20 format, and should edge ahead of new signing Umesh Yadav.

Kagiso Rabada, last season's Purple Cap winner, will be the other half of the DC new-ball attack. The Proteas fast bowler is a bonafide match-winner and completes a lethal partnership for the franchise.

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#1 MI - Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult

Trent Boult [L] and Jasprit Bumrah [R]

Although MI opted to hand James Pattinson the new ball in IPL 2020 and used Jasprit Bumrah in one-over spells later in the innings, they should go back to their main man with the new ball this year. This is because Nathan Coulter-Nile, who is expected to play as the third pacer in the MI XI, is better utilised in the middle overs.

Bumrah and Kiwi quick Trent Boult struck a formidable partnership in IPL 2020, and even if they do half as well as they did last season, opposition openers will have a task on their hands.

Bumrah and Boult will undoubtedly be the best new-ball bowling pair on display in IPL 2021.