(Cricket news) Bowlers have always played an important role in the Indian Premier League since the beginning and over the years we have seen some magical spells. In the last few seasons, the league has witnessed some stunning bowling by spinners and seamers alike. Let us take a look at the bowlers who have the ability to change the match on their own. 

Kagiso Rabada (Punjab Kings) 

After leading the bowling unit for four seasons for Delhi, where he also won the Purple Cap in the 2020 season, Rabada will now turn out for the Punjab Kings franchise who over the years never had a talisman leading their bowling line. KG is known for his breathtaking fast bowling and toe-crushing yorkers as South Africa's bowler Rabada has established himself as one of the best bowlers in the world. At Punjab kings camp, the 26-year-old will be the most experienced  bowler and will be expected to produce some match winning  performances with the ball in hand, which could help them win their maiden IPL title. With the Wankhede and the Brabourne Stadium offering ample bounce it is expected to give him a lot of assistance. Rabada is a proven match-winner and could prove to be lethal especially at the death. The pacer would also be keen to make up for the underwhelming season  he had last year

Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)

Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best bowlers in cricket across all formats and he’s a genuine game changer for MI, like he has done previously as well. Bumrah is a death overs specialist and probably the best T20 bowler around the world currently as he has been a consistent performer for Mumbai Indians with an ability to take wickets at any given period of the match. Since his debut in 2013, Bumrah has taken 130 wickets in 106 games at an economy of 7.42. Bumrah has been among the top 10 leading wicket-takers in every season since 2016 and will hope to continue the streak this season also. His brutal pace and movement in the first six overs, along with his accuracy at the death, makes him one of the most dangerous bowlers in the league and he is expected to continue to trouble the batters on the bouncy pitches of Mumbai and Pune.

Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans)

After being the mainstay for the Sunrisers Hyderabad since his arrival in the league in 2017, Rashid Khan will now play for new team Gujarat Titans. The Afghan leg-spinner has the best economy rate of 6.33 in the history of the tournament while also taking 93 wickets in 76 matches. He is known to choke the opposition for runs every time he has the ball in his hand, as batters often try to just play out his four overs without taking many risks. This season Rashid's role in the team will be as a potential leader as he has to spearhead the fragile bowling line up of GT. The 23-year-old is currently ranked as the fifth best T20 bowler in the world, his main skills in his variations as he can bowl flighted leg-spinners, googlies, flippers alongside other variations as well which make him a lethal player. With the league phase being played in Mumbai and Pune where the conditions might just aid the spinners considering its a subcontinent pitch, Rashid could be a lethal force to reckon with.

Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan Royals)

In the past few years, Chahal had established himself as an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore set-up as he quickly became the backbone of their bowling line-up as the same will be expected in the RR camp as well. He is ninth on the list of all-time leading wicket-takers in the IPL, having claimed 139 wickets in 114 games since his debut in 2013, as it actually speaks volumes about his skills and temperament. He enters the new season on the back of a good run of form and could be forming a match winning combination with India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for the Rajasthan Royals, especially on the spin-friendly tracks in Mumbai, as the tournament progresses the tracks will get slower and spinners will get more assistance from the pitch which aid these two senior pros in the side.

Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Cummins is rejoining KKR for Rs 7.25 crore and this time he will be aiming to silence critics after his below-average IPL displays last season with the ball. Fast forward to 2022, the pacer from Sydney now has gained some momentum since recently becoming the Australia Test captain and has just led the side from the front with his magnificent bowling performances. The Aussie bowler will be hoping to impress this year and continue the same form that he is in this year, the slight problem for the KKR management is that he will not be available for the first 5 matches since he’s playing the ODI series against Pakistan. The Australian test captain has to lead this young KKR bowling from the front if they are to win their 3 title this season.

Also read: Cummins, Finch will miss KKR's first five matches: David Hussey