A closer look at the 5 fastest deliveries bowled in the IPL so far this season
With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins playing in the league, Indian Premier League is blessed with some of the best bowling talents in the world. Three of the top-five wicket-takers this year are spinners, but pacers have had success on the pitches as well. Umesh Yadav and Lockie Ferguson are both among the top five bowlers this season.
Despite both being talented players, there are some similarities about them. For example, both have the capability of generating pace, which has been a factor against some of the best batters in the world. There is nothing more exciting in cricket than seeing a pacer who can generate pace like Kumble and Wasim. The abundance of pace in both their locker has been an x-factor against which some of the best batters so far this season have suffered.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti
The Delhi Capitals signed the former Kolkata Knight Riders cricket player for a price of INR 1.10 crores at the IPL auction this year, but has been benched for most of the tournament. He played just one game and is listed among the team’s leading bowlers for that match with 29 runs off just two overs. His fastest delivery was recorded at 145 kmph.
Navdeep Saini
The Rajasthan Royals had a strong pace attack, with Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, and Navdeep Saini before he got injured. Saini looked confident in the limited-game action he’s seen this season, picking up three wickets. He was clocked at 149 kph by one of his deliveries against the Mumbai Indians, making him the third-fastest bowler on the list. His economy rate has been a little expensive so far, but he’ll look to address that once he returns to the team.
Umran Malik
Umran Malik is the type of player India has been looking for: an experienced, talented cricketer with the ability to consistently bowl at high speeds. His name first came up when he was signed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for the current IPL season and his impressive performance against Gujarat has given him a spot on the team this year. His economy rate is a bit high so far this season, but his fast bowlers have been clocked at 153 kmph. And he's being entrusted with the role of the enforcer in SRH’s new-look side.
Lockie Ferguson
The New Zealand speedster has been one of the most recent IPL players to make a name for himself. Lockie Ferguson played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2017 season, troubling most batters with his extra pace and bounce. He was signed by the Gujarat Titans at the IPL mega-auction earlier this year at a hefty price of ₹10 crore.
The 30-year old has done pretty well so far, as he's taken eight wickets in five games. The fastest ball he's bowled this season is recorded at 150 clicks. Lockie also possesses a lethal slower delivery which will be one to watch out for.
Odean Smith
The bulky all-rounder from the West Indies has had some good games so far. Odean Smith has been a threat to the other teams with his bat and ball. He also has six wickets in five matches and his fastest delivery was recorded for RCB; 148.8 kmph is quite impressive! He could make an impact with the bat as the tournament progresses.