Top 5 most overrated 'T20 specialists' in cricket

2. Jade Dernbach

Jade Dernbach

Jade Dernbach is one of the most ‘qualified’ T20 specialists in the world – qualified in the sense that he boasts of the widest range of variations in his bowling. Inexplicably so, he stands 5th on the list of bowlers with the worst economy rates in T20 internationals. The list includes bowlers who have bowled 50 or more overs in this format.

He concedes profusely at 8.42 runs per over. He doesn’t pick up buckets of wickets either to nullify his spendthriftness. 34 wickets in 28 games at 24.02 with the kind of economy rate that he has doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Dernbach has become a predictable bowler, lately. Having mastered too many varieties itself possibly leads to the disarray. Except for the block-hole, he hits every other length at varying speeds only to be carted all-around the park. He does have the slower-ball yorker in his kitty, at least it is widely believed so, but it hasn’t been unleashed often enough, or accurately enough, when pleaded for.

His last over against George Bailey in a recent T20 game stands apt to prove the stated point. Two slower bouncers, two half-volleys: slow and fast, two length balls – he hurled everything at Bailey only to be deposited here, there and everywhere!

It is often proclaimed that any bowler can have an ‘off-day’. But Dernbach has had too many ‘off-days‘ for a ‘T20 specialist.’