KKR look the only team that may struggle to field a solid XI
Auction snub to Malinga, and to an extent Gayle, shows IPL has matured
Indian Premier League has entered its 11th year and has started showing signs of maturity. This year’s mega-auction proved that there’s no room for vanity, reputations and emotions anymore.
The snub to Malinga and to some degree, Gayle, showed the cruel side of franchise cricket that’s ruled by cold numbers. And it’s for this reason that all teams, with an exception of KKR, are looking equally strong. Unlike the past few seasons, it’s almost impossible to call the final four at the outset.
TIGHTER SQUADS
It seems that the focus of this season’s auction was to put together an enviable first XI — a team that was capable of winning the trophy, and to be fair, most teams have succeeded too.
Cost per player for the key players went up manifold, which in turn led to less money available for buying their replacements, if need be. Only Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad were smart enough to acquire a reasonably strong bench and that’s why even after losing Warner, SRH aren’t too poorly placed. Most other teams are relying on their key players for not just finding form but also, remaining fit throughout the tournament. KKR happen to be the only team that might struggle to put out even a formidable first XI in all conditions.
BOWLERS TO THE FORE
Since the inception of T20, it was widely believed to be a format for batsmen. After all, you had the luxury of 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 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.
Let the games begin.