IPL 2024: Overseas Fast Bowlers Stealing the Spotlight

The IPL wouldn’t be the same without its international stars, and this year’s fast bowlers are a force to be reckoned with. IPL thrives on international talent, and this year’s overseas fast bowlers promise an electrifying season. As the 17th season of the IPL approaches, these international stars are ready, not only to elevate the league’s overall quality but also to add a captivating element that keeps audiences worldwide glued to their screens.

IPL 2024: Overseas Fast Bowlers to Watch

Mitchell Starc: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

The most expensive IPL player ever (Rs. 24.75 crore), Starc is a swing-bowling magician. His ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a potent force in the powerplay, often providing crucial early breakthroughs. His deadly yorkers in the death overs make him a complete package. Starc picked up 16 wickets in the World Cup 2023. His control over swing and pace variations positions him as a complete fast bowler.

Starc had played 2 seasons of the IPL in 2014 and 2015. Back in 2014, Starc played two seasons for RCB. In 27 matches, the pacer had picked up 34 wickets at an economy rate of 7.17 with a four-wicket haul to his name.

Lockie Ferguson: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Bought for Rs. 2 crore, Lockie Ferguson is known for his potential impact on the game. Ferguson and raw pace go hand-in-hand. This raw pace machine is known for consistently exceeding 150 kph. In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Kiwi made a lot of headlines for his brilliant performance, after he took 17 wickets in 7 matches and finished as one of the leading wicket-takers of the tournament. His World Cup performance certainly makes him one of the strongest names in the RCB’s bowling department and a nightmare for the opponents.

His IPL journey began in 2017 when he was signed up by Rising Pune Supergiant. In his maiden season, he picked up 3 wickets in 4 games before being released and going unsold in 2018. So far, he has played 38 games and has picked up 37 wickets with an economy of 8.66.

Joshua Little: Gujarat Titans (GT)

Don’t be fooled by the name! He brings accuracy and control to the Titans’ bowling attack. This tall left-arm fast was the leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals for 2022, taking 39 scalps from 26 matches at an average of 18.92 and an economy rate of 7.58.

Little was picked by Gujarat Titans ₹4.4 Crore in the IPL 2023 auction. He played 10 matches in that season taking 7 wickets at an economy rate of 8.65. He took 2 wickets by conceding 25 runs in four overs on 29th April, 2022, registering his best IPL figures in a match against KKR.

Shamar Joseph: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

This West Indian pacer, known for his aggressive style and ability to snatch wickets, Shamar Joseph can single-handedly turn the tide of a match. He’s a legend for his seven-wicket haul in a Test despite an injury. Named as a replacement for pacer Mark Wood in IPL 2024, Joseph’s attacking style adds a dynamic effect to LSG’s bowling attack.

Joseph made his West Indies debut in the drawn series against Australia, dismissing Steven Smith with his first ball in Test cricket, in a game West Indies lost in Adelaide. He took a seven-wicket haul in the final innings despite an injured foot, making West Indies a winner at the Gabba in the second Test, becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It was West Indies’ first Test win in Australia since 1997.

Dilshan Madushanka: Mumbai Indians (MI)

This left-arm swing bowler’s unpredictable swing, thanks to his ability to move the new ball both ways with an element of unpredictability, keeps batsmen on their toes. His experience in diverse conditions, especially swinging pitches, makes him a valuable asset. Having played at Mumbai Indians’ home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, he’s well-equipped to replicate his World Cup success in the IPL. Known as a very high-quality bowler, Madushanka is considered a threat with his swinging ball, irrespective of the format.