Spin to win may be kings’ mantra

[1]

If the opening match between Knight Riders and Super Kings is any indication then IPL-4 at the MAC might not be a turbo charged T20 event spectators have grown used to.

The pitch that used to ensure a balanced battle between bat and ball is now leaning towards the slow men. It could still throw up some seat-edge battles as it did in the opening game, only it may not support the tall scoring kind of contests.

The World Cup games provided quality viewing, perhaps proving the ball holding sway is not bad entertainment after all. Chennai, like any other host, will try and maximise the home advantage. They had the game plan in place by playing three spinners.

“To use conditions to your advantage is what every side will try and do but at the end of the day it will all boil down to basics. Chennai did well by playing three frontline spinners which surely looks their strength,” said former Ranji spinner Sunil Subramaniam.

Out of the 40 overs bowled on Friday, 23 were sent down by spinners. The ploy here has to be a trifle different from some of the other venues where the batsmen are expected to dominate. Opening with spinners from both ends spoke highly of Gautam Gambhir’s reading of the wicket. MS Dhoni decided to save his spinners for the end and it proved beneficial.

Spinners bowling at the death can be a double edged sword as Chennai found out. When it comes to one big hit making the difference, the batsman would much rather take on a spinner.

“When spinners operate during the slog it is only a matter of two or three clean strikes for the batsmen. When Randiv bowled the penultimate over he should have gone around the stumps as he has a slightly different away going delivery and that angle would have made it difficult to hit,” explained Sunil.

From a journeyman to spearheading the attack, R. Ashwin has come a long way. With Shadab Jakati also in good rhythm it looks like spin problems have been solved. Muttiah Muralitharan is a class act and will not be easy to replace.

Suraj Randiv, with his subtle variations and ability to extract bounce, looks a worthy customer. With Suresh Raina adding to the options with his accurate off-spin, the spin pack looks complete. At first look, 304 runs in 40 overs is not bad advertisement but the wicket became increasingly slow as the game progressed.

The main square has hosted too many matches this season and it cannot change its character at this point in time. Captains will have to understand the nature of this track in advance rather than complain later. With quality spinners in their ranks, Super Kings will be a hard nut to crack at home. Opponents need to do their homework against the tweakers.