It can only happen in the IPL. AB De Villiers scored a scintillating 41 off only 11 balls at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 372. In any other format of the game, it would be difficult to imagine a team at the receiving end of such a knock emerging victorious. But this is the IPL, where such phenomena have become par for the course; despite this stupendous knock, Mumbai India’s 209 proved too much for Royal Challengers Bangalore to overhaul.
Why leave it till the end?
This IPL has seen a peculiar trend. Teams are going against the conventional cricketing logic of sending your best batsmen in early, so that they can play the largest possible number of deliveries. It doesn’t make sense to hold them back for later, and as proven in this match, even if your best batsman conjures up a manic innings from somewhere, it is far too late.
Kohli made two errors in the RCB chase. First was the elevation of Bisla as opener and dropping himself down. When you’re chasing 210, you need your top strikers to come in and get going. It is quite clear now that Gayle is no longer the same force he used to be Sure, he’ll send the ball soaring to the skies if it is put it in his zone, but if not, he’ll gently pat it away and might not even take a single.
That’s exactly what happened. Malinga may not be at his best right now, but he’s still too good a bowler not to bowl length deliveries to Gayle. Gayle duly played out a maiden in RCB’s second over, and the pressure was automatically on them.
Kohli’s second mistake was sending in De Villiers, arguably his best batsmen, as late as No. 5. When De Villiers walked in, the equation read: 148 runs required off 57 balls. RCB’s other two big names were already in the dug-out: Gayle with a plodding 10 off 24 balls and Kohli with a run-a-ball 18.
The game had gone by the time Abdwalked in. He did try, almost like a superhuamn, to provide a semblance of a contest, but it was too late by then.
The bowling cupboard is bare
Bangalore are desperately short of bowling options and that’s something which they seriously need to start looking into. Their bowlers have underperformed in three consecutive. In the last game, Sunrisers Hyderabad took a special liking to them. RCB rang in a few changes this time, bringing in Iqbal Abdullah and David Wiese for this match, dropping Sammy and Sean Abbott.
But its biggest problem has been the performance of their premium pacer. More was expected of Varun Aaron, currently one of India’s future fast bowling hopes. But things have just not been working for him. Against KKR in the first match, Aarun’s economy read 9.5 after he finished his quota. It got worse after that; 10.8 against Hyderabad and 12.5 in this match.
Abu Nechim came in for special punishment, conceding 59 in his 4 overs. The spinners put in a better performance; Yuzuvendra Chahal was impressive again, picking up 2/28 in his 4 overs, while Abdullah, playing his first game in the IPL, was a touch more expensive, giving away 0/35 in 4.
What options do they have? For one, they need to somehow get Mitchell Starc back to fitness. Donald has explained, ‘Starc brings out the best in Aaron’. Probably the burden of being the chief strike bowler is lying too heavy on Aaron’s shoulders; Starc’s return may free him to bowl with his usual venom and not let responsibility weigh him down.
The other option is to consider the New Zealand seamer, Adam Milne. Milne was reported to be ‘almost 100% fit’ after recovering from a heel injury and was supposed to play this game against Mumbai. This young Milne has become a major figure in the NZ squad; he has a career T20 bowling average of 28.
The spinners, however, look good, and Kohli should persist with them. Chahal has impressed consistently in this tournament with his variation and dip, while Abdullah has been tidy.
Why are the best batsmen not out there?
It’s quite obvious now that RCB’s strength is their batting, a bit like the present Indian team. Kohli needs to back himself and his team to chase down any target their bowlers concede. But to do that, he can’t put afford to have his best batsmen walk in when the game is up.
De Villiers needs to come in earlier, if they’re chasing a big score. And Kohli needs to continue to open. It’s a risky strategy. But right now, it’s the only one which seems it might work.
Mumbai Indians (209 for 7) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (191 for 7) by 18 runs.
Why leave it till the end?
This IPL has seen a peculiar trend. Teams are going against the conventional cricketing logic of sending your best batsmen in early, so that they can play the largest possible number of deliveries. It doesn’t make sense to hold them back for later, and as proven in this match, even if your best batsman conjures up a manic innings from somewhere, it is far too late.
Kohli made two errors in the RCB chase. First was the elevation of Bisla as opener and dropping himself down. When you’re chasing 210, you need your top strikers to come in and get going. It is quite clear now that Gayle is no longer the same force he used to be Sure, he’ll send the ball soaring to the skies if it is put it in his zone, but if not, he’ll gently pat it away and might not even take a single.
That’s exactly what happened. Malinga may not be at his best right now, but he’s still too good a bowler not to bowl length deliveries to Gayle. Gayle duly played out a maiden in RCB’s second over, and the pressure was automatically on them.
Kohli’s second mistake was sending in De Villiers, arguably his best batsmen, as late as No. 5. When De Villiers walked in, the equation read: 148 runs required off 57 balls. RCB’s other two big names were already in the dug-out: Gayle with a plodding 10 off 24 balls and Kohli with a run-a-ball 18.
The game had gone by the time Abdwalked in. He did try, almost like a superhuamn, to provide a semblance of a contest, but it was too late by then.
The bowling cupboard is bare
Bangalore are desperately short of bowling options and that’s something which they seriously need to start looking into. Their bowlers have underperformed in three consecutive. In the last game, Sunrisers Hyderabad took a special liking to them. RCB rang in a few changes this time, bringing in Iqbal Abdullah and David Wiese for this match, dropping Sammy and Sean Abbott.
But its biggest problem has been the performance of their premium pacer. More was expected of Varun Aaron, currently one of India’s future fast bowling hopes. But things have just not been working for him. Against KKR in the first match, Aarun’s economy read 9.5 after he finished his quota. It got worse after that; 10.8 against Hyderabad and 12.5 in this match.
Abu Nechim came in for special punishment, conceding 59 in his 4 overs. The spinners put in a better performance; Yuzuvendra Chahal was impressive again, picking up 2/28 in his 4 overs, while Abdullah, playing his first game in the IPL, was a touch more expensive, giving away 0/35 in 4.
What options do they have? For one, they need to somehow get Mitchell Starc back to fitness. Donald has explained, ‘Starc brings out the best in Aaron’. Probably the burden of being the chief strike bowler is lying too heavy on Aaron’s shoulders; Starc’s return may free him to bowl with his usual venom and not let responsibility weigh him down.
The other option is to consider the New Zealand seamer, Adam Milne. Milne was reported to be ‘almost 100% fit’ after recovering from a heel injury and was supposed to play this game against Mumbai. This young Milne has become a major figure in the NZ squad; he has a career T20 bowling average of 28.
The spinners, however, look good, and Kohli should persist with them. Chahal has impressed consistently in this tournament with his variation and dip, while Abdullah has been tidy.
Why are the best batsmen not out there?
It’s quite obvious now that RCB’s strength is their batting, a bit like the present Indian team. Kohli needs to back himself and his team to chase down any target their bowlers concede. But to do that, he can’t put afford to have his best batsmen walk in when the game is up.
De Villiers needs to come in earlier, if they’re chasing a big score. And Kohli needs to continue to open. It’s a risky strategy. But right now, it’s the only one which seems it might work.
Mumbai Indians (209 for 7) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (191 for 7) by 18 runs.
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