Delhi Daredevils did a brilliant job to restrict Kolkata Knight Riders to 133 in 20 overs. Just over 6 an over is not difficult in T20. In fact the only way to lose from here would be if Kolkata could run through the top order (especially since Delhi has a weaker middle order).
If the opposition has only one or few ways to win, howsoever improbable they might be, it is best to remove those options if feasible. And it does not take an expert to arrive at the fact that Shoaib Akhtar has an ability to run through with a bunch of wickets.
But a bowler can only take 3-4 wickets if he first gets one! Delhi should have shut the doors on Shoaib and seen off his 3 overs. But Sehwag gifted his wicket trying to square cut a ball with a bit of width but not that short. Gambhir fell slashing to Shoaib when the score was 17 in little over two overs. Till then he had played innovative shots along the ground. AB de Villiers tried to pull Shoaib when the score was 28 in 4 overs. And even when some risks were taken to reach 28 of 4 overs, you could hold your serve rather than go for a break! Manoj Tiwary was the only wicket Shoaib earned on a defensive shot!
Delhi missed a chess style Nimzo prophylatic! Kolkata had ony one option- to get 2-3 wickets up front to have an outside chance. They got exactly that.
Compare this to Tendulkar when he made 2 off 22 against Pollock-Ntini in an ODI against South Africa chasing 160 (India, 2005-06 and Gambhir took risks then!). Then too South Africa could have won only if they ran through 2-3 wickets up front as they had no real spin threat. That was shut by Tendulkar who made sure he hit nothing till 8 overs.
The IPL has surprised every purist- T20 may not be a sound format, but some aspects of bat v ball in 22 yards will remain the same just as in rapid chess- the moves are same after all.
Saumil
Mumbai, India
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