IPL 2015: The perfect Super Over combinations

Welcome to cricket’s most lucrative casino. When nothing can be separated after a match of twists and turns, each team must stack their chips on red or black and hope; their fate left in the hands of the Super Over roulette. It’s the sport’s best answer to a lottery.But in even the most condensed version of the game, can wily plans and strategic nous serve to give one team that decisive edge over the other? As far as this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) teams will be concerned, yes, they can. After all, what use is a multi-crore purchase if they can’t pull some extra-time duties once in a while?Here is a list of the perfect Super Over combinations for each IPL team, eight quartets who can do their utmost to enhance their franchise’s prospects of success, if not guarantee it.

#1 Chennai Super Kings

Batsmen: 1. Brendon McCullum, 2. MS Dhoni, 3. Suresh Raina

Bowler: Ashish Nehra

In a six-ball innings, not utilising Kiwi thrasher Brendon McCullum would be a travesty. His explosiveness ensures the Super Kings wouldn’t waste deliveries and his versatility makes it a nightmare for the opposition to set a field. MS Dhoni would be a towering partner at the other end. The captain has been struggled lately, but Dhoni is still Dhoni, it would be madness not to include him in such a scenario.

Few clear the fence with such regularity as Suresh Raina – as shown in his 62 against Bangalore on Wednesday – and the left-hander would be a well-advised pick should one of the two get out.

Ashish Nehra would be a good man to have on the bowling front. It’s an unwanted job, but the fast bowler has performed competently so far in the tournament and would be unlikely to crack under pressure. With the strength of CSK’s batting, providing Nehra isn’t clobbered all over the park, they would fancy snatching the win.

#2 Kolkata Knight Riders

Batsmen: 1. Andre Russell, 2. Yusuf Pathan, 3. Suryakumar Yadav

Bowler: Sunil Narine

When in need of ball-blasting skills, searching in the Caribbean Islands is never a bad place to start. Andre Russell has demonstrated his six-hitting talents this IPL and would be a prime choice to take first strike for the Knight Riders in a Super Over. Should he not connect cleanly, Yusuf Pathan fills a fearsome supporting role – one that is tailor made for the 32-year-old’s power-packed game.

In at three would be the talented youngster Suryakumar Yadav who, although inexperienced, has proven an effective addition to his team, with the highlight being an unbeaten 46 from 20 balls against the Mumbai Indians on the opening day of this IPL.

It’s a gamble to choose a spinner, but in a casino you must gamble. Sunil Narine is one of the most economical spinners in T20 history and has the credentials to torment any batsmen hoping to send him the distance. It could go wrong, but should it go right, the Knight Riders would be well on their way to victory.

#3 Kings XI Punjab

Batsmen: 1. Glenn Maxwell, 2. Shaun Marsh, 3. David Miller

Bowler: Mitchell Johnson

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – or at least, don’t tweak it much. Kings XI Punjab pulled off the heist against Rajasthan Royals with these four and it’s just the order that warrants rotation.

David Miller’s first-ball dismissal would see him switch places with Glenn Maxwell while Shaun Marsh – who hit three boundaries in the aforementioned Super Over – would continue to occupy the other opener’s slot. In Maxwell and Miller, Kings XI have a dynamic shot-maker and a brute while Marsh has a knack of rising to an IPL occasion.

Mitchell Johnson took control against the Royals by bowling compatriot Shane Watson first ball. Bar an uncharacteristic full-toss no-ball that whistled for a four, he did little else wrong and would be the first candidate should his side need him for another six-ball shootout.

#4 Mumbai Indians

Batsmen: 1. Kieron Pollard, 2. Rohit Sharma, 3. Harbhajan Singh

Bowler: Lasith Malinga

Another West Indian export headlines a Super Over line-up, this time Kieron Pollard for the Mumbai Indians. The Trinidadian has established himself as a six-on-demand cricketer over the past few years, particularly in this competition and has a penchant for lusty blows down the ground.

Captain Rohit Sharma would be an appropriate accomplice for Pollard with his classical, but destructive style. A risky selection at three comes with Harbhajan Singh, but his exploits in this campaign deserve recognition. A bullying 64 from 24 versus Kings XI a fortnight ago signals his worth.

A waning force he might be, but Lasith Malinga’s slinging right arm continues to be a vital weapon. A master of deception, not only can the Sri Lankan mix up his bowling speed, he has a habit of taking wickets – and in this format, two will do.

#5 Rajasthan Royals

Batsmen: 1. Steven Smith, 2. Shane Watson, 3. James Faulkner

Bowler: Dhawal Kulkarni

The victims in the most recent Super Over were trumped firstly by Shaun Marsh and then by Mitchell Johnson – it was a story of Kings XI's Aussies being better than the Royals’ clan from Down Under. Their batting trio couldn’t be faulted too much though with Steven Smith’s canny approach complimenting Shane Watson and James Faulkner’s double-dose of power.

Admittedly, Faulkner made a hash of his opportunity last time which resulted in an amusing run-out, but he has delivered in the role of a finisher often, and should be afforded another shot should Rajasthan end up in another Super Over.

Dhawal Kulkarni has been efficient so far and has kept things tight in the bowling department. There is always the possibility that someone will take a fancy to his medium-pacers and send him airborne, but when considering Rajasthan’s unit of bowlers, Kulkarni looks a solid shout.

#6 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Batsmen: 1. David Warner, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Ravi Bopara

Bowler: Dale Steyn

Sunrisers are fortunate to have David Warner in their ranks and the devastating Australian batsman would be a key cog in any team’s Super Over plans. The side’s lack of uncomplicated attackers makes his inclusion all the more essential.

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan – who has been steady if not sensational this season – would join Warner while England all-rounder Ravi Bopara could provide optimum backup for them. The latter is no stranger to gung-ho cricket, gaining experience from a finishing role in internationals.

Considering their squad boasts Trent Boult and Dale Steyn, there are plenty of options for Hyderabad in the bowling sector. With the quota is cut down to just half-a-dozen, a player who can extract the most of what he is given is necessary. Steyn, the fiery Saffer, seems to make every ball an event even in Test matches, so he would be the obvious pick. Sometimes he can get whacked, but generally, ends up having the last laugh.

#7 Delhi Daredevils

Batsmen: 1. Jean-Paul Duminy, 2. Yuvraj Singh, 3. Angelo Mathews

Bowler: Imran Tahir

The Daredevils would be largely reliant on their international imports if a Super Over swings their way. Pocket-dynamo Jean-Paul Duminy hinted at his liking for boundary-clearing a few days back when he plundered six maximums against Mumbai and the captain should lead from the front here too.

The expensive Yuvraj Singh has not yet backed up the stacks of cash placed in his corner with stacks of runs. But in such a hit-or-miss situation, giving him the license to thrill would still be the way forward. The ever-dependable Angelo Mathews would come in third with the aim of arresting any potential troubles.

Imran Tahir has used his deceptive arm well, especially for South Africa in the World Cup. Spin is fraught with danger, but it can pay dividends too. Since Tahir’s craftiness has made him difficult to take apart, in many ways it’s a sensible play. And anyway, where is the harm in rolling the dice?

#8 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Batsmen: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. AB de Villiers, 3. Virat Kohli

Bowler: Mitchell Starc

It’s a delightful headache when you have two players in your ranks who have cracked professional hundreds in 30 and 31 balls – Chris Gayle’s came in a Royal Challengers shirt while AB de Villiers’ blitz was in South African colours. The former has Super Over pedigree too; he carted Daniel Vettori for 25 in a match betweeen West Indies and New Zealand in 2008.

De Villiers meanwhile has been surpassing what was thought possible outside of game consoles, his latest eye-popping assault being 41 off 11 against Mumbai. And then, if that’s not enough, Virat Kohli can come in if one of the two happens to fail. Intimidating.

With the ball, look no further than Mitchell Starc. The World Cup hero is the hottest property in white-ball cricket at the moment, his art of suffocating batsmen has left fans marvelling. A man for the big stage too, the Australian pacer meets all the requirements, and then some. If the IPL was played entirely in Super Overs, Bangalore might just win it.