Often, we hear that T20 cricket is a batsman’s game. It is a contest full of ‘Dilscoops’, ‘Switch hits’, ‘Helicopter shots’ and numerous such innovative unorthodox batting styles which make the bowlers scratch their heads, but seldom we realize that it is the bowlers also play an equally crucial role in dominating a match. A batsman might hit it beyond the rope for five straight deliveries but a wicket on the sixth ball can turn around the entire game. When we witness the slower ones, the cutters, the Yorkers and the bouncers, one thing gets transparent, the bowlers today have realized that bowling in this format is more than just a skill – it is a mind game.

This edition’s auctions for Mumbai Indians looked like we were crystal clear about the idea of incorporating the specialist T20 bowlers. Looking at the squad of bowlers we possess, it is obvious that these bowlers are going to give some real tough time for batsmen across the league.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit ‘Boom’ Bumrah is a special talent which was witnessed by the nation when he debuted for MI back in 2013. The nineteen-year-old then came into headlines for his unorthodox bowling action which made it hard for the batsmen to pick him. Over the years, Bumrah developed by leaps and bounds, and today, he’s the most bankable player when it comes to death overs. His ability to find the blockhole at will is something which troubles the batsman and forces them to make mistakes. Such kind of a bowler surely makes the batting unit look weaker during his four overs. The season of 2018 will bring in this promise of those amazing Yorkers for our prime bowler. With him in the squad, batsmen won’t be the only ones who’ll be in attacking mode. This international sensation will surely set the stage on fire.

Mustafizur Rehman

Another specialist of the shorter format, ‘The Fizz’ is a bowler who started his career by breaking records. With 11 wickets in his first two ODIs in a bilateral series against India, the nineteen-year-old had all the attention of the cricket world. His ability to trouble batsmen with his variation of cutters makes him an inseparable part of Bangladesh’s squad. After a sensational IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, where he won the Emerging Player of the Tournament for his 16 wickets in 17 matches, Fizz will be now seen in the MI blue. His addition to the team is an intelligent decision and an essential move, and it will be interesting to see what magic he brings in with him.

Pat Cummins

This 24-year-old pacer can fire at 145ks every single time he bowls. He’s accurate and he’s doesn’t like to give away too many runs. With an economy rate of just 6.84 in T20 internationals, Pat ‘Cummo’ Cummins joins the family of Mumbai Indians to give the batsmen a taste of typical Australian pace attack. His special ability to clock above 145kmph even on the slow tracks makes him one of the most feared bowlers in the upcoming edition of Vivo IPL. If played together, the trio of Bumrah, Fizz and Cummo will make sure with their combined 12 overs, the match gets wrapped up quickly.

Pradeep Sangwan

Having played for Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Rider & Gujarat Lions so far, Pradeep Sangwan is definitely not short on IPL experience. He was the first ever teenager to be picked at the inaugural Indian Premier League auction by Delhi Daredevils, and since then, he has never looked back. In the 11^th edition of the Vivo IPL, Pradeep Sangwan comes in the MI squad with a promise to provide what he does the best i.e. providing breakthroughs when most needed.

Jason Behrendorff

Jason’s outstanding performance so far in domestic T20 cricket defines him as a match-winning bowler. He has built a reputation for being a key player in the victories his teams have achieved. This pacer can swing the ball in both ways and his height facilitates him to bang the ball on the pitch, enough to surprise the batsman with unlikely bouncers, no matter what kind the pitch is. Moreover, he’s a left-handed bowler and this is another advantage which can be crucial for our team on certain pitches.

Akila Dananjaya

Akila is a bowler with natural cricketing instincts. His caliber and talent got spotted by our head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, and this became the dawn of his bright career. Akila’s ability to deliver all possible variations with the ball, with absolute control gives him an X-factor to be a success on Indian pitches. His inclusion means he will be a crucial spinning option for us and his contribution will surely be a great support for our pace battery.

Rahul Chahar

This 18-year old leggie is the one for the future. He has got immense talent and now in the upcoming season, Chahar will shoulder the responsibility of being the chief leg spinner in the squad. He’s one player who’ll definitely be a part of plan for getting the opposition out. This youngster will grab every opportunity he gets and will make sure his name will be on fans’ lips at the end of the season.

Mayank Markande

Mayank is heading into the first Vivo IPL season of his career and there are a lot of things about this youngster which would bet on him to be a success in this format. This leg-spinner was the part of India’s Under-19 World Cup squad for 2016 and Punjab’s Ranji Trophy and T20 squads. His impressive form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2018 landed him an opportunity to play for Mumbai Indians. This youngster, hailing from Punjab, idolizes Shane Warne. He’s an ambitious player and he would surely stand up to the expectations by contributing with his leg-spin.

Mohsin Khan

After picking up 13 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, 2018, having just one wicket-less match out of 8, it was impossible for him to go unnoticed in the VIVO IPL 2018 auctions. Mumbai Indians didn’t let go this opportunity to have him in the squad, and now this left arm medium pacer will be joining the squad alongside Bumrah, Pat Cummins and Mustafizur. It will be an interesting season for Mohsin as he will look forward to making the most of every opportunity he gets.

MD Nidheesh

With Sachin Tendulkar as his role model, working on consistency and accuracy has become a part of MD Nidheesh’s routine. He’s a right arm medium pacer and has been the part of Kerela’s Ranji Trophy Squad since 2014. He trained hard at MRF Pace Foundation and BCCI’s bowling camps and his hard work paid off when he picked up 14 wickets in just 6 matches in the domestic season in 2017. This outstanding performance might just be the start of a star bowler in the making. He surely has received the big platform to perform in this season and he’ll leave no stone unturned when it will come to delivering on the big stage.