Leg Spinners in short format T20 and IPL

Leg spinners have always been an uphill challenge as most of the batters are right-handed. Playing against leg-spin bowling is not an easy task, and the batsman must be aware of other variations the leg spinner may have in his arsenal. 

Talking about modern-day cricket, many spinners such as Rashid Khan, Imran Tahir, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, Adil Rashid, Shadab Khan and others have added excitement to the game. They have become trump cards, given their ability to 'turn' things around single-handedly. These players are currently dominating the cricket world with their outstanding spin bowling. 

IPL 2022: Leg spinners ruling the league

In the fifteenth edition of the Indian Premier League, the leg spinners are excelling quite brilliantly. In the top ten highest wicket-takers this season, four bowlers are leg spinners showcasing their dominance in the league. Rajasthan Royals' great leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is the current purple cap holder, scalping most wickets in the season. Chahal has taken 17 wickets in just six matches till now, which shows his impact in the league. Also, he is the first and the only bowler to take a hat-trick this season! Kuldeep Yadav of Delhi Capitals, the left-arm wrist-spinner, is in second place with 13 wickets in 6 matches.

Along with these two, Wanindu Hasranga for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rahul Chahar for Punjab Kings are the two leg spinners who are on the list of highest wicket-takers. For Gujarat Titans, leg spinner Rashid Khan has taken charge of the bowling department and is an essential aspect of the team's bowling line-up. Another young leg spinner who has caught everyone's eyes is the U19 World Cup star Ravi Bishnoi. The youngster is currently playing for Lucknow Super Giants and is contributing well to his franchise with his outstanding bowling performances. The above is a few of the leg spinners who are performing brilliantly and have a significant contribution to the current edition of the league! 

The usefulness of leg spinners

In short formats, leg spinners play a crucial role in stopping the run flow by taking some quick wickets. Leg spinners have always been proved as effective in T20 cricket, and their impact in the format is quite noteworthy. The boost that a leg spinner gives to any team's bowling line-up is pretty impactful. Till now, in T20 cricket, the spinners have clinched 1258 wickets with an impressive average of 25.34. Talking about IPL 2022, till now, leg spinners have taken 61 wickets with an average of 24.3, while pacers though have clinched more wickets (244) but carry an average of 30.02. The stats of leg spinners demonstrate how crucial they have always been in controlling the flow of runs in the short format like IPL. The leg spinners have not only proved to be efficient but are also an attacking bowling option throughout the format.

Leading spinner of 2022! 

In the current times, many newly emerged are developing their own unique bowling style. Many leg spinners are performing well for their franchise as well as international sides. However, the leg spinner who is arguably leading in the cricket world currently is Yuzvendra Chahal. The Indian leggie is dominating many international batters and is at the peak of his career. In the ongoing season, the leg spinner is representing Rajasthan Royals in IPL and is also the highest wicket-taker this season. Yuzvendra Chahal has a tremendous international experience, and he utilises it quite profoundly. Yuzvendra Chahal has great control not only on his spin but also on the game. He is a potential match-winner, which he proved in the 30th match of the league. During the match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, when doing well in the game  Yuzvendra  Chahal came to Rajasthan Royal's rescue and took a sensational hat-trick turning the result in the Royals' favour. Yuzvendra Chahal is undoubtedly the top spinner currently, and no batter can withstand his spin and mind games. Thus, showcasing how a talented leg-spinner can turn the game with his bowling spins.