Fab4 in T20

With Sourav Ganguly having a string of low scores in T20 comes to debate the point of the “older” generation playing T20.
A lot has been talked about VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid but the other member of the club Sourav Ganguly has actually not done much as well. It all brings on the question of whether the senior players can play T20. Sachin has yet to make a debut in the IPL and it would be wise to leave him out of the discussion {for the moment at least}. So what’s causing these players not to score?

There are conglomeration of factors. However, the most deciding factor of them is the “mental” mindset. We all know Ganguly can be explosive on any given day but the kind of mindset that T20 demands is a little different. In ODI’s too you have the field setup inside the 30-yard circle but it’s for a longer duration of time {15overs earlier-20 overs now}. So you can afford to play yourself in, even if that means using up and over or two. In T20 though, 1 or 2 overs can change the course of a match drastically. So there isn’t any time for them to settle down. Since, that has been their game play ever since they started playing cricket it’s quite difficult now the change it. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid might not look T20 players but they have it in them to score at a brisk rate and they have done it in ODI’s too. But the “mind game” factor comes into picture which makes these great players, including Ganguly, look ordinary.

No doubt these players had opted out of the T20 WC2007 in South Africa as they felt that it was a young generation game. Has it all of a sudden become an “all generation” game. This question can only be answered by the BCCI. According to me, BCCI has made these players compulsory play the IPL just to give it an initial face lift. Considering the fact that most of these players are icon players just buttresses the fact.
Currently, the only batsman to look like scoring in the IPL T20 is Sachin Tendulkar. It may be because he hasn’t played a game plus to the belief {can be called as a fact} that he can do anything on the field makes it more likely. Sourav Ganguly follows in at second place but it’s highly improbable that he might have a long lasting impact with his batting. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid seem like not making an impact at all.

However, with the drain of foreign players the second phase of the IPL might see the ‘fab4’ rise like a phoenix from the ashes

Shane Warne ... can spin it

Till that man Shane Warne is with the Rajasthan Royals anything can happen.

He was tipped off to be the next Australian captain but lost it due to the various reasons. Even Australian greats like Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell, Richie Benaud, Mark Taylor including Steve Waugh always felt that Shane Warne would have been one of their best captains in history.

He comes from a different school of thought in contrast to Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. One was groomed under Mark Taylor while the other was the successor of Steve Waugh. But in all due to respect to both of them, Warne would have been a much better inspirational figure.

He made two great decisions in two matches.

During the match against the Kings XI Punjab, apart from himself he bought on, Salunkhe to bowl who immediately foxed Jayawardene in flight and had him stumped. Warne himself got rid of the dangerous looking Sangakkar who had hit 19 runs of 6 balls of the previous over.

In the match against Deccan Chargers, he bowled Yusuf Pathan from nowhere and he got rid of both Afridi and Gilchrist in the same over!

If that wasn’t enough, he finished the game by a 4,6,6 to clinch a thrilling win with 1 ball to spare. Afridi’s verbalisms sure must have spurred him on. I think Afridi got his answer in typical Australian style, “You never mess with Warne mate!”

Shane Warne can surely spin it on the head; be it the game or the ball !

Lesser known teams have an equal chance

So, it’s finally proved. You don’t need a heavy star-cast to win; what you need is attitude and of course some amount of luck.

This was proved by the Rajasthan Royals triumphing over a much stronger {or so called} Kings XI Punjab.

They almost outplayed the Kings in all departments be it bat, bowl or field. Led by an inspirational captain Shane Warne they really got under the skin of the Kings. Warne himself lead from the front by picking up 3-19 in his stipulated 4 overs. He could have had a couple more had Lehmann latched on to an opportunity provided by Yuvraj when he was on 15. Yuvraj went on to make 55 which actually allowed Kings to reach a respectable total of 166. Warne also made an inspirational bowling change in D Salunkhe who got the wicket of Jayawardene stumped. Warne also got Sangakkara out who was looking quite dangerous after hammering 19 runs from just 6 balls. I think it was the turning point of the match.

The Kings would have certainly got themselves into more trouble had the Royals took the opportunities which came along. Lehmann and Kaif dropped two chances from the bat of Yuvraj who was ultimately the highest scorer from the Kings.

Kamran Akmal provided some balance to the side by his batting and glove work. Shane Watson played a really mature innings. He looked to rotate the strike capitalizing on deliveries which were either too full or too short. It ultimately paid rich dividends. Watson was the man who played a major role in Australia winning their first ever Champion’s Trophy in India a couple of years back. People might have forgotten this kid but he’s the one to watch out for.

With the arrivals of Graeme Smith, Morne Morkel and T20 specialist Demitri Mascarenhas I am sure Rajasthan Royals have much more to offer than people think of.

Kings XI Punjab have to get a few combinations right. James Hopes bowling looks really vulnerable and batsmen have taken full advantage of it. The batting looks weak too. Sangakkara has looked good in patches but has never made a final impact on the game. Yuvraj has batted well in both games. The bowling doesn’t look pretty either. Apart from Brett Lee no KingsXI bowler has made an impact on the games. Piyush Chawla certainly looks out of sorts in this form of the game. Kings XI need to have a better strategy and as of now they are getting predictable.

Finally, all those who have already made their semi-final line ups comprising of the Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils will have to wait a little more longer. The Royal Challengers and the Rajasthan Royals have certainly given them a few headaches to have their line ups thought again!