Congrats Raina- IPL Finals 2010

Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Superkings,
DY Patil, Mumbai Apr 25, 2010

Chennai have won their first IPL T20 title, after having a tough time this year with MS Dhoni missing a few matches. They have been the most consistent team in the past 3 years, making it thrice to the final four, and twice to the finals, although they have never been the best on the league table (strange, but they usually have had massive bowling combination issues).

This year they finally won, by beating Mumbai Indians on a turning track with spongy bounce, which favored both bowling sides a bit. Chennai had three spinners, whereas Mumbai had one, Harbhajan, and pacers who could mix up yorkers and slower balls.

So what were the factors in the finals?

1. R. Ashwin - in both semis and finals, he has been an offspiner with uncanny variations- a bit like dealing with Ajantha Mendis, though Ashwin is more orthodox. He was the masterstroke from Dhoni which made the difference. Ashwin mixed up pace, spin and angles in the first six overs, and except Tendulkar- has had Gilchrist & Gibbs, Shikhar Dhawan, and Abhishek Nayar all frozen up- without getting them out!. Hats off to this guy. It is not easy and automatic choice for Dhoni to pick Ashwin, when Muralitharan is also in the same team.

2. Raina's karmic cycle was on the up!
Remember, Raina dropped Yusuf Pathan off Muralitharan in the inaugural IPL 2008, which Rajasthan won. This time it was his day. He was dropped on 13, then on 28 and then had one just go over Shikhar Dhawan for six. Raina survived, that was just the luck Chennai needed, as their batting momentum was just as frozen as Mumbai's till 10 overs. Getting to 168 was already 20+ for this pitch. (It must be noted that Murali Vijay was the only Chennai Batsman who actually batted in control on the given day).

3. Catches by Chennai!
With 106 runs needed off 60 balls, Mumbai were in with a chance as they had lost only a wicket. This really was the only way to approach this chase on a track which was not really any advantage in the first six overs for either team. 10 an over is very much likely, with a strong lineup yet to follow. But the catches of Tiwary (by Raina) and Duminy, ensured that more dot balls got squeezed in and the rate went from 12/over to 18/over.


4. Polard's late entry?
It has baffled most why Polard who eventually hit 27 of 10 was not sent in earlier. The reason is that he does not make runs all by himself! I do not think it was wise to risk Pollard against Muralitharan, who had an over left on this turning track. Tiwari, Duminy, and Harbhajan too are also capable of hitting big shots. Risking their wickets when 60+ runs are left, was perhaps worth a try. Someone had to cancel out Murali, and Duminy tried his best (and he attacks spin well), was well caught by a hopping Jakati on the boundary.


As a Mumbai Indians fan I am glad that they could put up a team which did not have their best picks from season one- Pollock has retired and Jayasuria (was there but out of sorts this year). They were the best team of this season and ran into a roadblock called R. Ashwin in the finals. I just felt they could have gotten Jayasuria in, perhaps in place of Dumniy, and pushed Dhawan at one down (Dhawan and Duminy are sort of similar). Jayasuria's spin would have been handy and even 20 runs of 10 balls, up front with the bat may have helped...

Good luck to India for the T20 World Championship!

Saumilzx
Mumbai

IPL 3- Taming The Natural Strikers

Gilchrist, Yusuf Pathan and Sehwag can be pinned? What about Jayasuria?
It is interesting that a format such as T20, which is made for those who play the game in only one way- destructively- has pushed bowlers to work out lines to pin them and force false shots.

In T20, scoring runs at a strike rate of 170%+ is destructive. And if you cannot knock out Gilchrist, Pathan or Sehwag in this format, it can be all over in a short time. You usually cannot tame them- while they are there, as they will be smacking it all over the park. They may in the process get themselves out... that is what the conventional thinking is..

But look at what is happening- bowling teams are finding ways to keep tabs on these blokes:

1. Adam Gilchrist
Usually unstoppable as he can smack you off the backfoot and frontfoot- as he drives as well as he pulls. But Kumble has had a better equation with him, in the last few years, keeping it full. He will still hurt you, but you have more options to control him this way. Kumble got him out in Australia (07-08) sliding it full and wide, got him in the last IPL Finals (ok, it lasted two balls) by preventing his backfoot game.

Yesterday, Delhi leg spinners bowled googlies from around the leg stump. Fuller again. Although Gilichrist got out, he was nonetheless showing signs of getting to terms with this length. Instead of charging down the pitch (and missing) he swept to square leg and slog-swept over mid wicket. Eventually, a very full googly outside leg stump got him.

2. Virender Sehwag
Mumbai Indians have shown a way to control him. Left arm- over the wicket onto leg stump and right-arm over the wicket- angled in. His favorite off-side play is all but taken out. Deccan Chargers were quick to adopt this plan and were successful as Sehwag was forced to fabricate inside out to Ojha, from outside leg stump- and scooped it over mid-off. With Gambhir injured and the Delhi middle order not quite firing, there is that little bit extra burden of Sehwag to consider constructive options, even in T20.

Will he play a more managed innings or just follow his natural instincts on an unnatural line of play given to him?

3. Yusuf Pathan
After his maverick 100 hundred against Mumbai Indians, he is back on the radar this year, after a poor IPL last time in South Africa, on bouncier pitches. Anil Kumble (Bangalore Royal Challengers), had special plans for him- bringing on Steyn and Kallis to keep it short and bouncy, since Pathan hits most of his big shots off the front foot. It worked for Bangalore (even after being dropped once at mid-wicket) and it also worked for Kolkatta (though they eventually lost, getting a taste of their own plans).

4. Sanath Jayasuria?
Yet to fire in this IPL, although did well in the first game against Rajasthan and was a bit unlucky against Delhi to be out after clearing mid-off, to a wonderful catch. There are questions lurking over his abilities as compared to two years ago, but teams can ignore him at their own peril. You can see that he is not given width and teams have managed to strike the right length to him. Steyn was brilliant to get him lbw- pinned without footwork- perhaps a sign of slowing reflexes?

But with 14 games in the league-phase there will be a few unlucky teams where his full fury might unleash, especially since Tendulkar is in good form, and singles are a good option for Jayasuria to play himself in (With Gambhir & Graeme Smith injured, Sehwag and Pathan may not have that luxury though).

Bowlers are getting more organized in T20, and showing that batters will need to be selective and be ready to blend in constructive phases (2/3 overs!) if needed. If batters come with a predetermined destructive 'natural game' mindset, they will find it a bit unnatural- as bowlers are the ones who initiate play.

Saumil
Mumbai
22 March 2010

Karpov Kumble outcaptains Dhoni, Semi Finals, IPL 2009

Bangalore Royal Challengers v Chennai Super kings
IPL 2009 Semi Finals

Anil Kumble, who not too long ago was criticized and almost forced into retirement for his 'defensive' captaincy- has proved a point or too, to his detractors by humbling the mighty batting line-up of Chennai Super Kings. And he did that by a containing strategy rather than tactical punches, as characterized by Shane Warne's success with the Rajasthan Royals last year. The important lesson is that, your team and execution have to back the approach you choose.

Firstly, he chose to field, putting the first innings dot-ball dilemma onto the opponents. The pitch was good but slow, so Kumble had a chance to plan his bowling around that fact (Kallis, Praveen Kumar, plus spin), and allow singles to key players and slip in dots as well. As a result, Chennai could not runaway with any momentum, as they could not really estimate the target.

Hayden was pinned from around his leg stump with options to work it square on the leg side for singles. Kumble slipped in googlies- and Hayden tried to cut and almost got caught at short extra cover (Mumbai Indians had rendered Hayden motionless in the league phase, with Harbhajan bowling the same line). However, Parthiv Patel got off the blocks very well, and it was evident that they had no restrictive plans for him, bowling conventional lengths around off stump.

Dhoni and Raina got singles against the spinners (Kumble and Van der Merve) but Bangalore would take that, since this was not a pitch where wickets in hand would translate to a burst of runs in the end (which is perhaps why Dhoni promoted himself at number 3). In the death overs, again there were many balls wide of the crease, with Oram and Morkel getting only singles to third man or straighter on the off side.

Kumble was clinical in his execution and confident that the uncertainty of not knowing a target would make it difficult for Chennai to bat themselves in (Remember, in T20 the risk is often about a side not playing itself in).

Chasing 147, Bangalore were exactly aware how to pace themselves and not go for anything extravagant. It is easier to say that, but the new kid on the block of Indian Cricket- Manish Pandey provided the strike rate with deft touch play, to make it a run-a-ball game for Bangalore.

It was not easy as it sounds, as Muralidaran was weaving his magic for Chennai. Perhaps, he came on a bit too late, with the damage already done in the first 6 overs (could Murali have bowled the 5th/6th over- Dravid would not like to hit him over the inner fielders; and Pandey who looked good against pace had never dealt with Murali).

All in all, it was Kumble's deep and subtle plans to gambit away some singles- without really trying anything special in bowling that allowed Chennai to get to a good score, but only sort of good.

Will it work for him in the finals against Deccan? I can tell you that Gilchrist will not be playing his natural game- he will have to earn it. I reckon that he will not be getting balls to cut and pull, but will have to fetch them from outside off or be forced to slog them off the front foot.

Another good day of strategic subtleties from 'Karpov' Kumble, might just do it for Bangalore. If so, the celebrations, though, will be anything but subtle.

Saumil
Mumbai
23 May 2009

Up Next

After the IPL is done with, I will be releasing reports on the Mumbai Indians performance in this IPL (losing after being second on the net run rate?), and then later on T20 Cricket itself- perhaps an eBook, but hopelfully at least a screencast.

Subscribe to my RSS Feed to be notified! Keep the mails coming...

Saumil
Mumbai
23 May 2009

Gilchrist Show- IPL 2009... Can Dhoni/Kumble stop him? very likely...

Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers
IPL 2009, First Semi Finals

Delhi had the worst start possible losing Gambhir and Warner for ducks in the first over. However, Sehwag and Dilshan rode their luck (3 chances and half a dozen edges) and counter attacked to revive the situation - 83/2 at 10 overs. That was a platform which Delhi would gladly take considering their poor start. But they failed to push ahead, and Sehwag fell lbw trying to paddle in the dreaded 11th over after the break.

Most thought that 152 was a decent total, though. But Deccan Chargers, would take that, putting in the opposition to bat first.

But what followed was the poorest bit of cricket. Nannes, their left arm pacer, tried to bounce Gilchrist at first, then bowled another short ball on his off stump- which Gilchrist pulled (along the ground!) to mid-wicket for four. Two straighter ones went to square leg and down the track and another short one was cut wide off third man.

The required rate was flattened in the first over- going for 21 runs! The game was all but finished in 3 overs.

This Gilchrist innings was much better than his World Cup Finals 2007, where he mistimed or mis-hit every 4 or 5 shots. This was a more measured innings since he hit them along the ground, a lot more!

Sehwag said they tried everything- short balls, yorkers, bouncers, full tosses... that is where the problem is. You feed variety to such a player and he will hurt you in various ways.

You do not bowl to prevent Gilchrist from shot making, but actually pursue a one shot bowling approach- wide and full - allowing him to drive on the off side. He still is the cleanest striker in the game (and in bouncy conditions) he may yet hurt you, but you can force many false shots this way.

Actually against Kumble/Dhoni/Tendulkar, Gilchrist has struggled to reach strike rates he is legendary for, in the past year or two.

In fact, that is how Sehwag was restricted!- Deccan bowled into his pads and kept the leg side fielders deep- allowing singles and even twos...rather than try to overcome him.

Dhoni (Chennai) or Kumble (Bangalore) will not let things fall apart like this. Deccan, still has big holes in their bowling attack, and this momentum thing is surely not their way yet. Expect more chess from Kumble or Dhoni than this.... This IPL has been characterized by sluggish pitches and slower bowling. Will the finals be similar?

Saumil
Mumbai
23 May 2009

Mumbai allocate resources for luck; Chargers fail to play in 20 overs

Mumabi Indians v Kings XI Punjab (second encounter, IPL 2009)
Mumbai have second time dissected Punjab for under 120 in this IPL. Having lost the first time, and also observing they have often only lost a few wickets and yet lost games- Sachin Tendulkar made an unexpected change, by pushing Bravo up the order (Jayasuria has been good in patches, but even on his good day his strike rate has been more constructive than destructive).

Bravo had his share of luck, being dropped by Irfan Pathan on a caught and bowled offer when he had not opened his account. Although, two wickets were lost early, Sachin had to just push around for singles, since Bravo had taken Shreeshant apart by then.

Tennis-wise, this was a classic break of serves (score when bowlers look for wickets with the new ball), then hold on to your serve (singles in your comfort zone after 5 over restrictions).

Sachin also had his luck, with an edge that almost carried to slips off Chawla and then inside edged Brett lee for four. He then made the bowlers pay with some clean hits over mid wicket...

Looks like Mumbai are begining to allocate their batting resources better, in this star studded lineup (20 overs do not look enough). In fact, the number of lucky shots they had in this one innings was perhaps more than what they managed in the entire tournament (10 games) so far.

Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers

In another encounter, Deccan Chargers looked like chasing 175 against Delhi, with Gilchrist and Symonds going great guns. However, the other fringe players who got out ate more balls than runs, and Ravi Teja who played himself in, managed 27 of 34, with two fours coming in the 16th over. In fact, a leg bye and singles kept Symonds off strike as the match came close and the Chargers needed only 24 of 18. Bhatia with his uncanny combinations of yorkers and slower leg-cutters, knocked Symonds and Dwyane Smith.

This was another case where a side had failed to play itself in, and paid a heavy price for those who hurt the strike rate and did not get out!

Looking ahead for Mumbai v Rajasthan...
Perhaps Jayasuria might be floated around and down the order, since most teams are willing to slow down things from the very first ball (not Jayasuria's forte)? Tendulkar and Bravo, might just do the trick, with Jayasuria after 10 overs (sort of like opening after the so called strategic break). Anyway, Mumbai have been playing an extra bowler, so they can just account for Jayasuria as a bowler-batsman, and get in one more pincher (Pinal/Dhawan) upfront... whatever it is, they will need to rollout their batting resources to take advantage of weaker bowlers in other teams.

Saumil
Mumbai
13 May 2009