KKR look the only team that may struggle to field a solid XI
YEAR 11 Auction snub to Malinga, and to an extent Gayle, shows IPL has matured LEAGUE IN NUMBERS
losing 10 wickets in just 20 overs. Batsmen had never enjoyed this kind of luxury and that allowed them to play a fearless brand of cricket.
Bowlers, on the other hand, were seen hiding for cover.
That’s where you realise that perceptions can be stronger than the truth, for the 10 seasons of the IPL has established the fact that, just like the other two formats, it might be the batsmen who win you matches, it’s the bowlers who win you tournaments.
All 10 IPL champions boast of a top-quality bowling unit. The fact that on a good day, you need only a couple of in-form batsmen to last 20 overs but irrespective of how the day’s gone, you can’t do without five proper bowlers. Every bowler is 20% of your innings’ quota and that’s why it’s prudent to invest in a good bowling unit.
A chain is as strong as its weakest link — a couple of overs from a weak bowler can cost you the match. That’s been the story of RCB over the last decade. This season, the monies for quality bowlers have gone up significantly. That’s why the likes of Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Narine, Morris, Axar were retained and Chahal, Kuldeep and Bravo were acquired using the Right To Match card.
EYE ON DRS
Umpiring standards in the IPL have always been a point of debate.
There’s no hiding from the fact that umpiring in general, and not restricted to just the Indian umpires, hasn’t met the the winners of the 11th IPL will take home. Last year it was
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desired standards year after year. Since there’s hardly any time to comeback in T20, one poor umpiring decision could seal a match.
It’s good to see that DRS will be used for the first time in the IPL and it’ll be even more interesting to see how the captains use it. From a broadcaster’s perspective, the presence of DRS adds another important layer to the narrative and for a viewer it enhances the viewing experience.
Let the games begin.