Spinners have made a telling impact in fifth season of Indian Premier League (IPL). From Delhi’s Shahbaz Nadeem to Rajasthan’s Brad Hogg, Kolkata’s Sunil Narine to Punjab’s Piyush Chawla, spinners have influenced the outcome of topsy-turvy Twenty20 matches that have invariably gone into the last over without an assured victor.

IPL-V has been a paradise for left-arm spinners, who have won five man of the match awards. Pawan Negi of the Delhi Daredevils has been the latest to impress after taking a four-wicket haul against the Rajasthan Royals last Tuesday. Negi joins the list of left-armers, starting with Ravindra Jadeja of Chennai Super Kings, who picked up a fifer against the Deccan Chargers early in the season.

Among others are Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan of Kolkata Knight Riders (three for 17 against Rajasthan Royals) and Royal Challengers’ KP Appanna, who was handed over the award for his 4-19 against Rajasthan Royals by AB de Villiers after the South African limited-overs skipper was adjudged man of the match for his match-winning 59.

Delhi Daredevils left-arm spinner Nadeem (2-16) produced a man of the match performance against Mumbai Indians, impressing his teammates Kevin Pietersen of England and Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene with his tidy line and length. Bowling on placid surfaces in the Indian subcontinent, spinners are constantly on the look out for new variations, mixing speed with varying line and length. It’s most likely that they will hold the aces in the playoffs stage too.