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IPL2: First Impressions |
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Apr 20, 2009 04:55 PM |
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The
first two days of the IPL have gone
by and one aspect is clear at the
moment, this is going to be different,
not the same thing that we saw in
India last year. What does that mean?
Well, if you have closely observed
the matches that have been played
so far, then you will have the answer
yourself, this is going to be no slug
fest of batsmen who want to plonk
the ball to the other side of the
boundary. 130-140 appears to be a
very competitive score, big hitters
seem to have a lesser role, spinners
are not being taken for granted
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and bowlers in general don’t feel like
a marginalized species. Looking back at IPL
2008, it was a slugfest. It started with Brendon
Mc Cullum’s blitzkrieg century and continued
in the same vein till the end with batsmen
like Shaun Marsh and Swapnil Asnodkar making
merry at many a bowlers’ expense. But
this time, the games have begun and they are
different.
At Capetown, the first match was between the
Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Superkings.
The latter were starting favorites because
of their exploits last season. And, it seemed
so at the toss when under overcast conditions
and a pitch report that had things about moisture
and spongy bounce, the Mumbai Indians were
inserted. It was certainly not a stroke maker’s
(read Sanath Jayasurya) paradise and he had
to scratch around with Sachin Tendulkar for
some hard earned runs. It was clear that throwing
the bat around was not the wisest thing to
do. For two men with close to 20 years experience
in international cricket, this was not something
new and they gave a rather steady platform
before Jayasurya succumbed to the limbic instincts
that he had curtailed for some time. But Sachin
was intent (by strategy) to carry on till
the end and it was a masterful blend of caution
and aggression that saw him do so, in the
process scoring the first fifty of the tournament
without taking any undue risks. The only instance
of lusty hitting was in the last 5 overs when
an explosive Abhishek Nayyar savaged the Superkings
attack, Flintoof getting special treatment.
In the end, all that was managed was 160 on,
In reply, the way Chennai Superkings went
about the chase might have suggested that
there was around 180 on the board. Aggression
is good, but the batsmen seemed to think that
they were on the placid pitches of India.
It would be right to say that most of the
wickets were gifted to the Mumbai Indians,
courtesy some reckless hitting by the Superkings.
Even with all the flashiness going around,
Flintoff and Hayden managed to put together
a partnership that made things look good before
another bout of ill advised aggression brought
down their hopes. In the end analysis it was
only Hayden and skipper Dhoni who had shown
the acumen to adapt to the pitch and play
according to the need of the hour. But, the
rest of the batting line up has to have a
re-look at the way they are pacing their innings.
The second game was a repeat of the first.
The Bangalore Royal Challengers were in trouble
first up at 2 wickets for no score. But again
it was the orthodox and sensible batting by
Rahul Dravid that saved them the blushes,
Kevin Pietersen chipping in with a valuable
30 odd. Again, the total looked extremely
gettable for the Rajasthan Royals. But, repeating
the Chennai Superkings’ mistakes of
the first game, they looked to get off the
blocks in a flash. It was pure impunity that
made Asnodkar attempt an ambitious pull in
the very first over. Even though the bowling
was good and tight, it was the wanton shot
selection that made the Royal’s register
the lowest score yet in the IPL, as Warne
said, it was embarrassing. Day 2 affirmed
the initial feelings from Day 1. Once again,
low scores with a more measured approach ensuring
success rather than unplugged aggression.
To sum up on the batting front, it can be
said with authority that it is the teams that
are ready to bring discipline in to their
stroke selection will ultimately call the
shots. This is going to be no slam bang variety
of 20-20, you have to stick to the basics
and respect the bowlers, because, these are
not the flat tracks of India. There is bounce,
there is swing and very importantly, there
is hope for anyone who comes on to bowl. This
is going to be an even contest between bat
and ball. Another interesting observation
that has been made during the two days is
that playing surfaces are not as hard as you
would have expected them to be in South Africa.
The reason being attributed is that this is
the fag end of the cricket season in the country
and the wickets have been on continuous use
for the past 4 months or so making them a
bit dusty. That explains why Harbhajan, Kumble,
Warne, Vettori and Pragyan Ojha did star turns
on the first two days. The ball was definitely
taking turn, as early as the 10th over of
the first innings and as the tournament progresses
it will definitely get better for the tweakers.
It is not going to be easy to step out to
them, the first four matches have had around
7 stumpings, the batsmen being beaten in flight
and by turn. Kumble made full use of the assistance
and poor batting, returning with figures of
5 for 5 from 4 overs.
Finally, the first two days of the IPL have
also seen some very strange choices and decisions.
The strangest choices of course were made
by a few batsmen while playing shots. That
apart, the team selection was puzzling. Chennai
decided to leave Muttiah Muralitharan in the
dug out, that was a tactical blunder one feels,
nobody leaves the wizard out of any team and
Delhi chose not to play Glenn McGrath, something
that has never happened before.
So, the tone is set. IPL2 is no slam bang
run feat only for batsmen. It has got something
for everyone who is ready to think, apply
and adapt. In essence, it is going to be good
cricket, an even keel between bat and ball
and in the end one hopes, cricket will be
the winner. |
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