Trend so far: Well begun, almost done

HOLDING FORT Openers in IPL are not just setting the tone, they are also anchoring the chase as this season has shown

Opening batsmen attacking bowlers to give their teams a head start in chases isn’t new in the Indian Premier League. But staying on till the last delivery and finishing off games is. That has become the trendsetter in this edition. Of the 12 matches played till Monday, 11 have been won by the side batting second. In 10 of those wins, at least one opener scored 50 or more. On seven occasions, an opener stayed unbeaten to see off the chase.

Considering the short and unpredictable format, it is a remarkable percentage. Although carrying the bat in T20 is far less taxing than in ODIs, batsmen don’t have the luxury of leaving deliveries. And openers having to face pace, swing and spin from at least five bowlers goes a long way to clear the misconception that batting in T20 is about power and innovation than technique. TECHNIQUE MATTERS And whatever power a batsman has, shots require timing, balance and transfer of weight. For good technique, look no further than Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane.

Both have stayed unbeaten in one successful chase each this IPL. Such is the range of classic shots Sharma has that he would rarely be compelled to move across the crease and scoop over his head.

A change of mindset is likely to have led to this refreshing streak of openers finishing chases. A few years ago, an opener was considered successful if he scored a quickfire 30 or 40. Fifties and those rare centuries were welcome but they were expected to give the team a wobble-free start. Now, openers are intent on cashing in on their starts and we have got to see 108 from Quinton de Kock, 90 by Gautam Gambhir and David Warner, and 84 by Sharma. PLENTY OF TIME A crucial factor in such opening acts is how they perceive time. Warner explained during a recent interaction. “In this game, you got a lot more time than you think. As an opening batsman I have 120 balls. I know if I can face half of those deliveries, I am doing the job for the team. And if you got through the first 10 overs, you still got 60 balls, which is a lot of time.

“It’s about adjusting, not about hitting fours and sixes straightaway.”

The intent to finish a match comes when a batsman --- Virat Kohli is a great example --- is sure of his strokes. “He knows that he probably can’t be Chris Gayle or AB de Villiers, but he is a conventional batsman. He gives himself time. And he hits through cover and midwicket all the time,” said the Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper.

Once the way to get runs is sorted, batting till the end is easier. “If you don’t lose a wicket in the first six overs, one will always keep going. If someone gets out, one has to tell himself, ‘I will be the one who will bat deep’. The next batsman will be busy but you can try and control the innings. You need to have a set batsman in the last five overs. That’s where big runs can be scored,” said Warner.

In any run chase, that is the most assuring tactic a batsman can adopt. When it’s successfully pulled off by an opener, it looks like the job has been accomplished in a better way.

In this game, you got a lot more time than you think. As an opening batsman I have 120 balls. I know if I can face half of those deliveries, I am doing the job for the team. It’s about adjusting, not about hitting fours and sixes straightaway. DAVID WARNER, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain