In the initial phase of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, franchises with a good bowling line-up have achieved satisfying results. After the 17 matches played so far in the 10-team event, the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gujarat Titans (GT), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have captured the attention with their stunning bowling unit.
However, some teams are clearly struggling, and it appears they don’t have a strong hand when it comes to the bowling department. But which are those teams lagging behind from their competitors with respect to a decent bowling side? Well, former India coach and currently the broadcaster in IPL 2022, Ravi Shastri, has shared his thought on the red-hot topic.
Shastri has analysed that Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are the two teams who have the least effective bowling unit in the ongoing fifteenth season of the cash-rich league. The 59-year-old reckoned that the absence of New Zealand pacer Trent Boult and the Pandya brothers has weakened MI’s bowling unit. Likewise, the Capitals are also missing the services of ace speedster Kagiso Rabada, who is now plying his trade for Punjab Kings (PBKS).
“Two teams that have a weakened bowling department would be Mumbai and Delhi. I wouldn’t say Gujarat aren’t a strong team. They have enough good players there. But if you look at what Mumbai were or Delhi were, hence the comparison,” Shastri twas quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.
“Delhi had Rabada and Nortje. Mumbai had Krunal and Hardik, add Boult there, and Bumrah is twice the bowler then, it’s a double-edged sword then. That side now is feeling the heat because it lacks that firepower to push, and Delhi are feeling it to an extent now,” he added.
Shastri further spoke about the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who haven’t yet won a single game in IPL 2022. He highlighted on the fact that CSK’s top-order has been their biggest concern.
“Even Chennai to an extent. They had too much experience, by 12 months or 8 months down the line, you need some youth. You need some exuberance of youth there,” Shastri added further.
