Sport - Cricket

It feels really nice to win again

— Photo: K. Pichumani

MR. DEPENDABLE: Rahul Dravid has been the only consistent performer with the bat for Royal Challengers.

It feels really nice to win again. We’ve had some really tough times in the tournament and it’s always nice to have the smiles back on the faces of everyone in the team.

To win a game like this, after the batters (except for Rahul Dravid who’s been consistent) struggled and we had only about 125 to defend, is really special. To defend such a score on a good wicket when the opposition is cruising at 60 for no los s is a wonderful feeling.

We’ve done well in patches but consistency and momentum have been issues. In Wednesday’s game though, we probably got the best collective bowling performance and the fielding too was really good, except for the catch I dropped.

I’ve figured that it’s all about the mindset and it makes for an interesting comparison. In a 50-over game, for instance, when the required run rate is over six, you always back yourself as a fielding team. But in a T20 game, you suddenly feel it’s not much and at least 8.5 per over is needed to be relatively safe.

I think the increase in Twenty20 cricket and the mindset changes it is producing more consistently is definitely going to affect one-day cricket, especially the run chases. From time to time, we’ve had 300-plus chases, even a successful 400-plus one, but that’s going to become more common now.

The main difference I think is in things happening at a crazy pace in Twenty20. You don’t have time to think. When Chennai was cruising at 60 for no loss, I’m sure the batsmen waiting in the dugout weren’t thinking about how they’d have to bat. But three quick wickets and two overs changed the game in a flash.

You know, I’ve actually batted more in the last eight IPL matches than in eight 50-over games on the trot. You would think that a No. 10 batsman in a T20 game has no chance of batting but that’s not true.

Then again, the teams that do well in T20 must have their top order firing. If anyone has time to prepare, it’s those guys.

Anyway, our win — and Mumbai’s narrow loss to Mohali — has probably upset a few people and encouraged others. Maybe Kolkata has a chance now and Delhi has to win all its games for a place in the last four.

Rajasthan Royals meanwhile is obviously up there. The big difference is that it has really come together as a team, where everyone’s contributing — both together and at different times.

Shane Warne not only has won it games with his leadership and bowling but also won a game with the bat.

It is clear that the best-drilled teams are the ones that will do well in this format.

Hawkeye/Chivach Sport

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