[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”9px||11px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”14px||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” background_color=”#c8102e” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#c8102e” background_color_gradient_end=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_direction=”149deg” background_color_gradient_start_position=”85%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”23%” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|10px||10px|false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”10px||0px|11px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”slide” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”15px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” use_background_color_gradient_phone=”off” background_color_gradient_start_position_phone=”60%” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
✪ Is pitch the reason behind small scores, and when bowlers dominate a match should it be rated as a non-T20 pitch?
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”3px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”width: 75% !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”width: 100% !important;”][et_pb_blurb title=”K R Nayar” image=”https://cricketlovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/K-R-Nayar1.png” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”1100px” image_max_width_tablet=”” image_max_width_phone=”” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” content_max_width_tablet=”” content_max_width_phone=”” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.10.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|700|||on||||” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#E02B20″ header_font_size=”16px” body_font=”Poppins||||||||” body_text_align=”left” body_text_color=”#565656″ custom_padding=”|||550px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|||20px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:70px;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Senior cricket writer & analyst
[/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”8px||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]
After Mumbai Indians restricted Rajasthan Royals to 90 for 9, once again the question about pitches came to the fore. It raises the question, should there be a fixed formula for T20 pitches, or for that matter any pitch on which bowlers dominate as a non T20 pitch?
Rajasthan Royals’ head coach Kumar Sangakkara. Photo RR Twitter
On September 26, when I had written about pitches in the UAE (“Think before blaming the pitches in UAE for a team’s defeat”), many debated my observation. After Rajasthan Royals could muster only 90 for 9 against Mumbai Indians on the newly laid pitches at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the question about pitches sprang up again.
During the post-match press conference, when Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara was asked about his views on the pitch, his response once again proved that it depends on a batsman’s ability and skills that play a vital role in performing well on such a pitch.
Kumar Sangakkara with Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson. Photo RR Twitter
Fans have got so used to watching sixes and big scores that today it is hard for them to accept such a show. Batsmen were rarely challenged on certain T20 pitches where it was easy to bat without the need to display their skills to adapt and play. “These types of pitches are challenging and it’s about adapting your game and being smart on it. We’ve spoken about the Sharjah wickets in the lead-up to this game, what the bowlers have to do, what the batters have to do,” was Sangakkara’s remark after his team’s eight wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians.
When T20 cricket started a few years ago, many remarked that it was more of fun cricket. Some felt that it was not serious cricket and hence believed that there was no thinking or adaptability needed to score runs. People felt those traits were needed only for Test cricket and other longer version matches.
Mumbai’s Ishan Kishan who top scored with an unbeaten 50. Photo MI Twitter
Sangakkara clearly explains how to handle a T20 match. “The first six overs will be easy and then it’s the case of building a platform… getting to about 15 overs with wickets in hand so that one can capitalise at the back-end. For the bowlers, it’s about hitting that back of a length, hitting your cross-seams, and fast cutters into the pitch.”
He also stressed on the importance of skill: “On pitches like this, it tests not just your skill but also your flexibility and your mindset. So at times, playing on pitches like this is not a bad idea. It’s not the greatest T20 pitch in terms of runs, but it is a challenging pitch in terms of coming to terms with it and then playing on it. It’s an experience.”
This raises the question whether pitches for T20 should have a fixed formula? Does it mean if a bowler takes four or five wickets, then it is not a T20 wicket? Should T20 pitches always produce fireworks from batsmen. If it does, then all it will do is to confirm that T20 is a batsman’s format and bowlers are paid to be hit. I doubt that is what everyone hopes to witness during the oncoming T20 World Cup.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=”on” prev_text=”Previous Story” next_text=”Next Story” _builder_version=”4.10.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_post_nav][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”width: 35% !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”width: 100% !important;”][et_pb_sidebar orientation=”right” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_sidebar][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
