The Sunday night blockbuster game between MI and CSK brought to the fore the small margins in this format. It is easy to look at the big numbers: the Rohit Sharma hundred, Matheesha Pathirana’s four wickets, contributions from CSK’s middle-order, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad getting runs. These were all very significant moments in the game. However, the game was decided by three or four balls which MS Dhoni played. When Dhoni hit those big sixes off Hardik Pandya in the last over of the CSK innings, that was when the game was decided. It is extraordinary to note that when the game has seen so many big moments, it is these small margins which influence the outcome.
Another example of these small margins impacting the game is how Rohit played the overs from 14 to 16. During this period, the wickets kept falling at the other end and as Rohit looked to consolidate, the required rate jumped. As a result, in a matter of few deliveries, CSK pulled back the game in their favour.
One thing to like about CSK is their approach to the game. It is not about milestones, big numbers but contribution (in whatever size) by everyone. In that sense, I liked how CSK have used Daryl Mitchell so far in the tournament. They know they have a strong batting lineup with a lot of depth. There is no point leaving Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja or whoever without contributing.
Four away games could work for MI
MI have lost 4 out of 6 so far but you still cannot count them out. Hardik Pandya is having a tough time as captain. I am sure he will be the focus of attention for coaching staff and senior players. There is nothing more important for MI at this moment than ensuring their captain is
getting heard in the dressing room. To me, this is a crucial part for him to get through this process. I hope that is the focus for Hardik rather than look at some of the tactical decisions he has made on the field. The real focus of the team should be to back their captain and make sure that he has got the dressing room.
Not all is lost for Mumbai. They have got four away games on the bounce now, which will be a big challenge moving forward. And perhaps, it won’t be a bad thing. The way things have gone at home with the kind of pressure Hardik has dealt on the field at Wankhede, maybe it is only better that they don’t play at home for a while.
Salt, Starc light up Eden Gardens
KKR are flying again. The real plus for them is Mitchell Starc. He finally had a good match against LSG on Sunday. I do not think he has played enough T20 games since the T20 World Cup 2022, prior to this tournament. He was a massive signing for KKR, money-wise, and they should be happy to see figures of 3 for 28 from IPL’s most expensive buy.
Phil Salt has been outstanding at the top. He is an example of a new generation of players who have no interest in milestones. As I have said in my earlier articles, even if he is on 49, he is going for a big shot at the next ball. The strike rate will only go up.
RR: Finding match-winners every game
Rajasthan Royals have been on a roll. What I like about them this year is that they are finding different match-winners in different matches. Much of their success in the last few seasons has been based on the excellence of their top-order. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal has not been firing this season. Jos Buttler had one good game. But RR have found contributions from the likes of
Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag on different occasions, which is a good sign for a team.
Yuzvendra Chahal has been a colossus, leading with the ball. I have always liked Kumar Sangakkara as a coach. I had stated at the start of the season that one should not overcomplicate and overstrategise and I guess Sangakkara is maintaining the right balance.
GT, SRH, LSG in a battle of their own
The Gujarat Titans did score a win this week, but I still feel they are yet to hit the right note. They are still finding a way to cope with Mohammed Shami (out with injury) and Hardik. On top of that, David Miller is out now with an injury. GT captain Shubman Gill has been among the runs which underlines the fact that it was a good week for new captains including Gaikwad. Gill’s runs were crucial, and you get a huge lift as captain when your individual brilliance takes the team home. I still feel GT has got in them to go through. As long as Rashid Khan, Spencer Johnson, Mohit Sharma stay fit and in rhythm, GT will be in it.
SRH are looking in great shape too. Cummins was another massive signing at over Rs 20 crore. Remember he had not played a lot of T20 cricket before IPL. But the SRH captain has led by example as he has bowled and led exceptionally well.
When you look at the points table now and realise that it is getting very interesting in the middle section with SRH, LSG and GT. I feel one out of them will get through to the top four.
Punjab must make Jitesh bat higher
Punjab Kings have been struggling with the bat. Shikhar Dhawan’s absence has hurt them as well. Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh have been excellent. Maybe they need to get Jitesh Sharma up the batting order. Let him play a more significant role with the bat. They are often
keen to bring up Sam Curran at number 4. I get some of the decision making as they look to have a right-hand, left-hand combination in the middle. But I still feel Jitesh is a match-winner and should bat higher up the order. They obviously also need runs from the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Prabhsimran Singh. If they can get the runs, their bowling will take care of the rest.
RCB find themselves right at the bottom in the standings. I think it was the right call to get in Will Jacks. Now, they must look to give him a long run. Glenn Maxwell is a big concern for two reasons. One, he might have a niggle. Two, he is completely out of form, and it is hurting the Bengaluru team.
It will take something very special from RCB to turn this campaign around. Remember that while their batting has been out of sorts, but their bowling has not delivered the goods either. Mohammed Siraj, the leader of the pack, has been terribly out of form. Others too are not stepping up.
RCB have got an excellent coach, and a great pool of players. It is too early to write them off. But if they do not win the next few, it will be next-to-impossible to stay afloat in the tournament.
As far as Delhi are concerned, their situation is not good at the moment as well. The top-order runs are missing and for the same reason, I am going to call out Prithvi Shaw here. I think the time has come for Shaw to really step up. Mitchell Marsh is back to Australia now to look after his body. I know the likes of Jake Fraser-McGurk and David Warner as well as Rishabh Pant have contributed with the bat. But I think it is Shaw who needs to raise his game to bring DC back into contention. DC need quick runs at the top and Shaw should lead the charge. He is a very talented and extremely gifted player, a wonderful ball striker and an experienced batter now. Now that his team needs a big boost at the top, Shaw must produce some really good innings.
