IPL 2022: Top 5 death over specialists to watch out for 

#3. Harshal Patel (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Harshal Patel was magnificent in the IPL 2021 [Harshal Patel's IG]

2021 belonged to Harshal Patel, who first dominated both halves of the IPL before making inroads into the national side.

Patel played 15 encounters for RCB last term, scalping 32 wickets. He created a new record for the most wickets by an Indian in an IPL season, leveling with Dwayne Bravo's numbers in the IPL 2013.

The Gujrat-born right-armer built his identity as a middle and death overs specialist, with bowling hardly any overs inside powerplays. The current Purple Cap holder also has an IPL hat-trick to his name, which he took against the Mumbai Indians last year.

Patel has the ability to keep the opposition under control in death overs by taking wickets at regular intervals. However, it would be intriguing to see how he manages to put the massive sum of INR10.75 crore that RCB spent for his services aside and perform to his true ability.

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#2. Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)

2019 IPL Final - Mumbai v Chennai

Unlike the previous three names on the list, Jasprit Bumrah is the kind of bowler who is comfortable to bowl in any phase of the game. Arguably the best bowler in the world, let alone in the IPL, Bumrah has restricted countless opponents at the death and has held his nerve to bowl some of the most crucial overs.

Bumrah has quite a few variations in his repertoire, including his famous off-cutters, scorching yorkers, and back-of-length deliveries. Despite bowling majorly in death overs, Bumrah has a career economy rate of just 7.42 runs per over.

As far as his numbers in the final overs are concerned, Bumrah has picked up 63 wickets in 97 innings.

This year, however, it won't be as easy for Bumrah as he won't find his usual death bowling partners in Trent Boult and Nathan Coulter-Nile around him. The 28-year-old will once again be tasked with bowling key overs for MI this season, like he has done in previous seasons.

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#1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

India v New Zealand - T20 International

Like T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also wasn't retained by SRH. However, the franchise bought back the experienced pacer at the mega auction for ₹4.2 crores after outbidding MI and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Bhuvneshwar has fought many battles in his long career and his grit and perseverance is second to none. Since joining SRH in 2014, the right-armer has picked up 118 wickets in 101 games at an incredible economy of 7.42 runs per over. He is also the only Indian bowler to win two Purple Caps in the IPL.

However, the 32-year old, who was held back by injuries, endured a tough IPL 2021 and didn't even produce good numbers in international cricket as well. With a fresh season forthcoming, Bhuvneshwar will look to once again exhibit his varied skills and hunt in pairs with Natarajan.