Efficient Titans run into inconsistent Kings
In the postmatch press conference on Tuesday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Player Mahipal Lomror explained that the team’s game plan to tackle Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Mayank Yadav was to use his express pace to get boundaries.
But in order to execute this idea, you must first get bat on it. Cameron Green failed on this front, as Mayank cut through his tame defence to thud into offstump. The delivery may have been well short of the 156.7kmph clocked by Mayank earlier in the game, but it was still much too quick for the Australian.
Futile exercise
And when they did get bat on it, it was a futile exercise. Glenn Maxwell and Rajat Patidar did not have enough time to adjust the feet and get over the bounce, and ended up awkwardly slicing it high.
Just two games into his IPL career, Mayank is the hottest property in Indian cricket. In an era where speedsters are required to showcase cutters and slow bouncers, Mayank’s allure lies in raw firepower.
There is already talk of putting the fiery Mayank on the flight to the USA and West Indies.
There are already calls to include the 21yearold in the Indian team for the ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2024. It is tough to argue against this suggestion. A rocket delivery at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will remain a rocket in the USA and West Indies. Pace like fire holds immeasurable value in both franchise and international cricket.
Mayank was on the LSG bench for IPL 2022, and missed the previous IPL season through injury. If he manages to play through IPL 2024 without a break, Mayank will prove that he is ready for international duty.
LSG captain K.L. Rahul noted that Mayank had “quietly and patiently waited for two seasons in the dugout”.
“Mayank has worked hard to make his comeback. He knows that bowling 155kmph consistently is not easy. He is a thorough professional when it comes to looking after his body,” Rahul added.
When he has the ‘keeping gloves on to Mayank, Rahul wisely takes a few steps back. “I’m enjoying seeing him bowl from 20 yards behind the stumps. That is how far back I would like to be when he is bowling,” Rahul said.
An upbeat Gujarat Titans will take on a worried Punjab Kings in an Indian Premier League match at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Thursday.
GT registered a moraleboosting sevenwicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in its previous match and recovered from the thrashing against Chennai Super Kings.
Dispiriting losses
PBKS, which started with a victory over Delhi Capitals, is coming off two dispiriting losses against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants.
The Shubman Gillled home side has been meticulous and efficient without being spectacular. B. Sai Sudharsan has held the batting together, especially at the Modi Stadium where the pitches haven’t necessarily been featherbeds.
The return to form of David Miller also augurs well as GT looks for a third straight home win.
Among bowlers, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, R. Sai Kishore and Noor Ahmad have impressed. But the jury is still out on whether Umesh Yadav is an adequateenough replacement for Mohammed Shami.
PBKS, on the other
Sai Kishore takes a stroll around the stadium with the son of Vikram Solanki, GT’s director of cricket, in tow.
hand, desperately needs a victory. It could have had one if it had not frittered away the chance from a commanding position against LSG. Chasing 200, PBKS was 102 for no loss before being blinded by Mayank Yadav’s searing pace.
Shikhar Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran have been among the runs, but haven’t fired collectively. Livingstone suffered a hamstring injury against LSG and his fitness will be assessed on match day.
Mediumpacer Harshal Patel has bled 137 runs from 12 overs while tweaker Rahul Chahar has blown hot and cold. Will the inform Karnataka pacer Vidwath Kaverappa make his IPL bow or seasoned allrounder Rishi Dhawan be trusted?