IPL 2019: One change which each team needs to make before their second game

The first set of games have been played by each side and the start to the 12th edition of the tournament has been quite thrilling and the stage has been set for an exciting and long road ahead for the teams.

The opener between CSK and RCB was the most anticipated game this season but it proved to be a dull encounter due to the extreme nature of the Chennai pitch where even Suresh Raina turned the ball a mile. CSK picked their XI well and bundled out RCB for 70 and took their time before chasing down the total.

KKR vs SRH was a welcome relief from the opener as it was a high scoring encounter where KKR made a strong comeback towards the end to win the match. David Warner scored a classy 85 but an Andre Russell special meant that KKR chased down 182 with relative ease.

MI vs DC held some surprises but DC continued their impressive run against Mumbai as they won by 37 runs due to Rishabh Pant's blitzkrieg and some support from Colin Ingram. Yuvraj Singh's 53 went in vain as Mumbai scored 176 chasing a target of 214.

RR vs KXIP was a match capped with controversy over Ashwin's decision to 'mankad' Jos Buttler. Punjab posted a formidable total of 183 but Buttler took the game away from the Punjab bowlers before Ashwin pulled things back and eventually, RR fell 14 runs short.

With different teams in different kinds of form, they need to make changes to their side both tactically as well as with respect to their playing XIs.

Let's take a look one change which each team should make, tactically or to their XIs ahead of their second games.

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Chennai Super Kings - Use Shardul Thakur more than Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh was exceptional in the first game (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

Harbhajan Singh proved that he had not lost his skills despite his inactivity in the last year and looked fresh and used the pitch very well. Though his performance deserves high praise, he must certainly not be used as extensively as was the case in the first match. The Delhi pitch supports wrist-spinners better as they don't always have to rely on the surface for return. It'll certainly support the fast bowlers better and CSK must certainly use Shardul Thakur more this game.

CSK lack genuine pace in their fast bowling lineup as DJ Bravo, Deepak Chahar, and Mohit Sharma aren't very quick and it's Shardul Thakur who can generate something off the wicket and provide them a wicket-taking option towards the death. With that being the case, Bhajji's overs must be rationed and Thakur must be utilized to the fullest.

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Delhi Capitals - Play Sandeep Lamichchane instead of Keemo Paul

Lamichchane can thrive on the Delhi track. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

The Delhi Capitals made the right choice in leaving out Sandeep Lamichchane, the exciting leg-spinner from Nepal for the first match. They must duly bring him for their home game against CSK as this track will suit him very well. He has picked up 5 wickets in 3 matches and all of them have come at the Feroz Shah Kotla. He troubled the CSK batsmen the last time they made the visit and lost the match. If he opens with the new ball, he can rattle the CSK batsmen and give the side an edge.

They have enough batting stability as Rahul Tewatia and Axar Patel are decent batsmen at No. 6 and No. 7 while Kagiso Rabada too is a handy batsman. While the extra pacer helped at the Wankhede, Lamichchane should play against CSK.

Kings XI Punjab - Bring back Karun Nair

Punjab

need

Karun Nair. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

The Kings XI Punjab gave a shock to their fans when Karun Nair and Andrew Tye were left out of the playing XI. While neither of them was really missed, Nair needs to get back into the side if they want to win the next game. Punjab opted for Mandeep Singh and Sarfraz Khan over Nair and though Sarfraz delivered, it's really unlikely that he can do the same against a very able KKR spin attack at the Eden Gardens.

Nair is a quality player and one of the best batsmen they have. Punjab have enough firepower up top and a calming influence and someone who can hold the innings together is who they need. But replacing Mandeep or Sarfraz won't be right. They should replace Nicholas Pooran with Nair and let KL Rahul do the glove work. They can bring in someone like Andrew Tye in the other foreigner slot for their next clash.

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Kolkata Knight Riders - Use Sunil Narine as an opener

Narine and Lynn should open the batting next match. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

KKR tried something different in their chase against SRH as Nitish Rana opened the innings along with Chris Lynn. While this move worked out well for Rana, Lynn soon got out unable to handle the spinner from the other end. KKR should revert to their previous combination of Sunil Narine and Lynn for the game against Punjab because Narine can get them quick runs at the top and the Punjab bowling attack isn't as good as SRH's.

Narine's batting has improved greatly and isn't as edgy as he used to be. Also, all the runs scored by him are a bonus as he primarily plays as a bowler and this move against a Punjab pace attack who were taken apart by RR can give KKR the edge in the first game. Robin Uthappa can bat at No. 3 while Rana needs to be pushed back to No. 4 which is where he's best suited, despite his great innings against SRH.

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Mumbai Indians - Play Lasith Malinga instead of Ben Cutting

Bumrah's injury could affect Mumbai a lot. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

Mumbai Indians have said that their star pacer Jasprit Bumrah remains a doubt for their next two games, Thursday in Bangalore versus RCB and then on Sunday against KXIP. But luckily, Lasith Malinga will be available for selection and he should replace Ben Cutting in the side.

Malinga could try and replicate his successes in the past though it won't be easy. He has revived his career and could actually do well for Mumbai this season. If Bumrah plays, Malinga and he should form a great combination but if he doesn't Mumbai will be forced to make a change.

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Rajasthan Royals - Use Shreyas Gopal to the maximum

Unadkat was really poor with the ball the last match. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

The Rajasthan Royals were at the receiving end of a surprising end to Jos Buttler's innings which led to their eventual defeat. While their middle order needs to be more mature, a bigger problem lies in how they handle their bowlers. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane mixed things up well at the start but lost the plot after sending Jaydev Unadkat to bowl.

He was given 3 overs despite knowing that he wasn't in the best of form and with lack of pace in his bowling, the ball just sat up for the batsmen to smash him to all parts of the ground.

Shreyas Gopal was used for just one over but this must not be the case against SRH. Hyderabad certainly supports the spinners and Gopal is a very experienced domestic cricketer who bowled well last season. RR need to use their bowling resources well and back the bowlers who're in good rhythm.

Royal Challengers Bangalore - Virat Kohli to bat at No. 3

Kohli went back to the pavilion after scoring just 6 off 12 balls. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

RCB have often opened the batting with Virat Kohli but it will be better if players like Shimron Hetmyer, Moeen Ali or even Shivam Dubey open the batting.

While Kohli has done well as an opener, most of his runs have come from the No. 3 position and RCB's batting looks really weak especially after seeing Moeen Ali at No.3. While this has nothing to do with the horror show in Chennai, RCB must make an aggressive player open with Kohli or let him bat at No.3 from where he can control the innings.

Parthiv Patel isn't an explosive opener and the pressure which he creates rolls on to Kohli hence it'll be better if an aggressor like Hetmyer or AB de Villiers puts up their hand and open the batting for RCB.

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Sunrisers Hyderabad - Play Khaleel Ahmed instead of Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep was expensive at the death. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

SRH's pace attack is filled with so much talent that it's often hard to pick the right players. While Sandeep Sharma is a very experienced bowler, SRH must try out Khaleel Ahmed for the home game against RR. The left-arm pacer has pace and can hit the deck hard and the angle he creates will be a differential for SRH.

Sandeep is a great opening bowler and swings the ball well but Bhuvneshwar Kumar is already there to take care of that. He becomes a huge liability once the ball stops swinging and though he has a couple of tricks in the bag, his lack of pace means that players like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Steve Smith can score runs off him easily. Khaleel has pace and can bowl at all stages of the game and has gained a lot of experience in his stint with the national team.

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