Delhi up against Krunal factor
Hosts can learn from how effectively Mumbai Indians have used the leftarm spinner to tighten their bowling
NEW DELHI Mumbai Indians pacers Jasprit Bumrah (12 wickets) and Mitchell McClanaghan (15 ) have played a defining role in the former champions’ steep climb to the top of the points table in IPL 2017. They have hunted in a pair, and brilliantly shouldered the responsibility at the death.
Yorker specialist Bumrah and McClenaghan have had a fire and ice effect, putting even Lasith Malinga to shade. Still, the work done by Krunal Pandya in the middle overs has stood out.
The Baroda left-arm spinner and batsman has been the lynchpin in the MI bowling. His 10 wickets at an economy rate of less than seven shows how he has set the platform for Bumrah and Co to bowl without pressure.
In an IPL season where wrist spinners have been the flavour, MI skipper Rohit Sharma has opted for Krunal for his accuracy and ability to vary the pace. Bumrah and McClenaghan start out but Mumbai, have gone for over 9 with the new ball. It is then that Rohit brings on Krunal.
BREAKING MOMENTUM Krunal’s ability to break the opposition’s momentum has helped Mumbai to claw back. Out of Krunal’s nine games, his four-over spells in six brought the run-rate down from over 8 to under 6.50. In those matches, he has finished his spells by the 13th over. Against KKR, Krunal reined in the scoring, taking 3/24. After the power-play, KKR were motoring at 11 an over, but after 14 overs, they could only add 48 at 6 an over.
Against RCB, his four overs went for 21 and he also took the wicket of AB de Villiers. The runrate fell from 7 to 5.2. Krunal’s best though came against Gujarat Lions. He bowled two overs after the powerplay and the next two during the end of the middle overs. Rohit made sure Krunal bowled against the left-handers Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner. He dented their reputation with three wickets. He went for just 14 runs and Lions mustered just 54 runs in 10 overs.
With Krunal on top, Harbhajan Singh is bowling his heart out. Last year, Harbhajan got just eight wickets at 8 runs an over, with Krunal new to IPL. This year, with Krunal playing the lead role, Bhajji is economical and picking wickets. In 2013 and 2015, with Pragyan Ojha as partner, he wreacked havoc.
DELHI’S SPIN TROUBLE Krunal’s bowling has had a cause-and-effect relationship on the Mumbai bowlers. Against Rising Pune Supergiant, he went for 21 in two overs and Bumrah and McClenghan too conceded 9 an over. Mumbai lost by seven wickets.
Delhi Daredevils have missed the trick. While they have emphasised on pacers, they have not used left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem properly.
This year, he has played five games, bowling well in three. He bowled with the new ball and took two wickets against KXIP in two overs and wasn’t bowled again.
Amit Mishra has suffered in his absence. Chief mentor Rahul Dravid likes to ringing in changes but that hasn’t paid off.
With the Mumbai batting clicking, it is vital Delhi bowl eight overs of Nadeem and Mishra. If the middle overs go for runs, Delhi might have to chase a huge target again.
It will be a little too much to expect young Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant to perform their magic again.
With the Mumbai batting clicking well, it will be important for Delhi to use their spinners perfectly. Otherwise it will be a little too much to expect young Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant to perform their magic again.