‘IPL ideal match practice before Champions Trophy’
Sachin Tendulkar and Javagal Srinath feels T20s have helped India
Speaking at a special screening of his movie for sports journalists on Tuesday, Sachin Tendulkar made an interesting observation on how Twenty20 cricket had changed the mindset of batsmen, giving them the belief that no total is big enough.
Looking back at the 2003 World Cup final, where the India batsmen got buried under the avalanche of runs piled up by Australia, Tendulkar said if they had the chance to replay that game, they would have approached the chase differently because of the belief gained from playing T20 cricket.
The impact of T20 on the 50-overs format is there for all to see. It has made the game more challenging for the bowlers. But one could sense things changing in this edition of the IPL where bowlers got a boost.
BRILLIANT BUMRAH
In the final, it was brilliant to watch Jasprit Bumrah hold his nerve to deliver a match-winning performance with a low total to defend.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the outstanding bowler of the tournament, walking away with the plaudits as the highest wicket-taker. Umesh Yadav was the main weapon for Kolkata Knight Riders, the highlight being how he knocked out defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs.
Looking at the gains from India’s point of view, captain Virat Kohli will be pleased with the form of his pacers, Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah, Umesh, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya. They head into the Champions Trophy, firing on all cylinders.
Shami was not among the top wicket-takers, but there’s no questioning his skills. He would be happy with the match practice after coming back from a long injury lay-off, and working up a rhythm towards the end of the tournament.
It augurs well for India’s chances of defending the title in England where pace bowlers are a key weapon because of the movement on offer.
The best example is Bhuvneshwar and Umesh’s performance in the 2013 edition when they played a key role in helping India lift the trophy.
While attributing the good bowling performances in the IPL due to the dry wickets, former India bowling spearhead Javagal Srinath felt it’s been a good preparation for the pacers.
“Looking at their overall performance, all these guys (Bhuvneshwar & Co) are doing a great job. It’s about game preparation and they have been playing continuously, which will help them (in the Champions Trophy),” said Srinath.
“The challenge (to adjust) is when you bowl in different formats with a different ball, but in the Champions Trophy it will be a continuation of what they have been doing, playing with a white ball.
“In fact, the conditions will only help because the wickets will be lively (in UK). It has been a good preparation for them,” observed Srinath.
While it remains to be seen whether they will be affected by fatigue after the non-stop travelling in IPL, the 15-day gap ordered by the Committee of Administrators should help them recover.