Spinners are unexpectedly asserting their dominance during Power plays in T20s
When the 20-over format was first played, spinners were expected to be liability. But over the last few years they have increasingly taken on more responsibility, even bowling with the new ball in the Powerplay overs with plenty of success.
Since the beginning of 2010, spinners have contributed 22% of the total overs bowled in the Powerplays. Before 2010, their Powerplay contribution was only 3.9%
Since 2010, spinners have averaged 23.73 at an economy rate of 6.52 in the Powerplays, compared to an average of 28.20 at an economy rate of 7.16 for the seamers
Chris Gayle has a strike rate of 95 and an average of 15.60 against spinners in the Powerplays; against pace, he averages almost 35 at a strike rate of 135