The 2020 edition of the Indian T20 League has seen some top-class performances by teams, especially with their bowling attacks showing more potency than ever. From Delhi to Mumbai and Bangalore, the bowling attacks have been super impressive this season.
While Mumbai and Delhi have banked upon their strong overseas pace bowlers for maximising returns, Bangalore have relied on overall quality, variety and using players in specific roles, barring the minor game plans taken on instinct.
There's no answer to what an ideal T20 bowling attack should or could look like. But if one were to be drawn up, it would likely look very similar to that of Bangalore's.
What makes Bangalore the most dangerous bowling team in this season of the Indian T20 League when bowling was always their concern?
Mix of pace and spin in powerplay
In Washington Sundar, they have one of the biggest spin bowling assets in the first six overs in the competition. Sundar has the best economy among bowlers bowling at least 20 overs inside the powerplay this season and is also mighty effective against left and right-handed batsmen.
Complementing Sundar perfectly is the combination of Isuru Udana and Chris Morris. While Morris swings the ball upfront, Udana offers left-arm pace variation and is also capable of swinging the ball back into the right-handers or changing up with a slower one. Add Mohammad Siraj and Navdeep Saini's extra pace and bounce and you have a quality powerplay bowling group that not only takes wickets but also keeps the opposition batting in check.
Leg-spinner in the middle and more spin
Bangalore are blessed to have one of the best leggies today in this format in world cricket. Yuzvendra Chahal turns the ball big when there is purchase, but also has a wily googly, smart line and pace variations and is more than capable of breaking partnerships in the middle overs. Add in Sundar bowling a few in the middle and Navdeep Saini, Mohammad Siraj and Chris Morris to step up the heat and that's a pretty handy T20 bowling attack already.
That Bangalore can counter middle-order batsman with spin and pace weaknesses and also tackle both left and right-handed batsmen with spin back-ups makes this a rather flexible bowling unit. From hit-the-deck Indian pacers to overseas pacers capable of varying pace and bowling yorkers, Bangalore has them all.
The death solution
Bangalore have always had trouble curbing the scoring rate in the death overs. While a lot of that was left unsolved this season too, the recovery and return of Morris has made Bangalore incredibly strong in this phase.
In the last couple of post-match presentation ceremonies, Virat Kohli has stressed on the importance of having someone like Morris in their bowling unit. A pacer who can swing the ball upfront and nail the Yorkers in the end, Morris meets most criteria and can consider himself to be a certain starter through the season.
Now with Morris doing well in the death, Bangalore can use Saini's hit-the-deck lengths and Isuru Udana's pace variations. Chahal can also come in for an over immediately after the middle overs phase if the set batsmen aren't too sure against spin.
With back-up players in the quality of Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn and Adam Zampa, Bangalore seem to have covered all bases. It's possibly just about picking the perfect XI, and not obsessing over the batting front of things.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @IndianT20League
