IPL 2017: Week in review

Rising Pune Supergiant

Dhoni was hauled up for a violation of code of conduct

Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1

Results: WL

Positive: Not picking Faf du Plessis

Pune could not afford to give overseas spots to two batsmen considering the weakness of their bowling and they have not fallen into the trap of doing so in their first two matches, picking two spinners and then one all rounder and one spinner to strengthen the bowling, and, in the case of Dan Christian, give a little more depth to their batting.

Negative: Bat first hoodoo

Pune have now lost all eight matches when they have batted first. While chasing is universally preferred these days, such stark troubles will not go unnoticed and Pune must solve this problem if they are to stand a realistic chance of making the top four. This year, with a clear batting structure, their batting order is better suited to batting first than last season.

Tactical Tip: Consistently pick one of the leggies

With Imran Tahir and Adam Zampa to choose from, it is important that Pune does not interchange them too regularly and instead give one of them an extended run as the frontline spinner. It appears that Tahir will be that man with Zampa coming in on particularly helpful pitches.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Kedar Jadhav’s knock against Delhi was vital

Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1

Results: LW

Positive: Kedar Jadhav

In the absence of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers and with Chris Gayle still looking short of his best, Jadhav has stepped up brilliantly, scoring 31 (16) and 69 (37) to elevate RCB’s batting. Jadhav’s form in the middle order means RCB can, when Kohli and de Villiers return, match the batting depth of last season when Rahul batted in the middle order.

Negative: Instability

Bangalore made four team changes after their opening match defeat to Hyderabad. While the decisions were vindicated by victory against Delhi, such wholesale changes after one match are only likely to confuse roles in the team.

Tactical Tip: Don’t be afraid to play two overseas bowlers

Bangalore’s win against Delhi proved the value of bowling depth. Bangalore had dropped batsman Travis Head for an extra overseas bowler in Billy Stanlake, who proceeded to play a crucial role in their defence of 157, taking 2 for 29 from his four overs. Even when de Villiers is back, Bangalore should not be afraid to try this strategy again which could only realistically be accommodated by leaving out Gayle.

Delhi Daredevils

Zaheer will have to rethink the overseas balance for DD

Played 1, Won 0, Lost 1

Results: L

Positive: Rishabh Pant

Pant’s innings against Bangalore was one of the great IPL innings. His father died earlier in the week and for him to play that innings, on that stage, in that match, at just 19 years of age, after all that had happened to him, was simply staggering. Pant displayed a mental toughness in that innings that makes the power of his batting all the more exciting.

Negative: Not replacing Duminy

The negative for Delhi came off the pitch when it was announced that they had signed Ben Hilfenhaus to replace JP Duminy. There is nothing wrong with the signing of Hilfenhaus specifically; he is an excellent bowler, but rather the decision to sign him as a replacement for their key batsman Duminy in a squad already packed with seam bowlers, is peculiar. Delhi is already short of batting and they have passed up an opportunity to remedy that issue.

Tactical Tip: Change the overseas balance

With Delhi short of batting, it was intriguing to see Carlos Brathwaite selected alongside Chris Morris and Pat Cummins in their first match. Corey Anderson and Angelo Mathews have more to offer with the bat than Brathwaite and should be given an opportunity in an otherwise inexperienced Indian middle order.

Gujarat Lions

Raina’s Gujarat Lions are off to a torrid start

Played 2, Won 0, Lost 2

Results: LL

Positive: Jason Roy plays

How Gujarat was going to choose between their enviable batting options was a key question heading into this season. They answered that by not choosing between any of them and picking them all, and while that has caused major problems in the bowling department it has meant that Jason Roy, one of the most exciting opening batsmen in the world, has been given a chance at the top of the order. Even with strategic changes looming, Roy deserves an extended run at the top.

Negative: Team selection and bowling

With Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja out injured, it is amazing that Gujarat has not strengthened their bowling by picking a frontline overseas bowling option. A couple of good bowling performances from Dwayne Smith last season appear to have convinced the management that he is a genuine all round option when in fact since the start of last year he has a bowling average of 41 and an economy rate of 9. That Gujarat has taken just one wicket in their two matches and conceded runs at more than 10 runs per over says a lot about how badly that strategy has gone.

The blame cannot be entirely attributed to the strategy though. Gujarat has bowled terribly in both matches, particularly the first, and must improve quickly to stop their season unravelling as soon as it has begun.

Tactical Tip: Pick an overseas bowling option

Even when Jadeja returns, Gujarat must strengthen their bowling by picking one of Andrew Tye or James Faulkner, the former of whom has the superior record since the start of 2016. Whoever it is can make way for Bravo when he is fit again.