Prithvi’s punch and Shreyas Tactics outfox CSK to bag their 2nd win in the Tournament

 Third Man’ – Review by Kannan

Prithvi’s punch and Shreyas Tactics outfox CSK to bag their 2^nd win in the Tournament

IPL 2020, CSK Vs Delhi , 25^th September, Friday

Venue : Dubai

Toss : CSK won the toss and put Delhi to bat, yet another time they have preferred chasing, probably as they are playing for the first time here.

Match Results: Delhi beat CSK by 44 runs.

In todays episode of Third man, we will see how the game progressed leading to yet another loss for CSK

 

Prithvi power packed punches and Dhawan Supporting act, Delhi puts on 50/0 in 7 Overs

It seems like the Delhi top order learnt a lesson from their previous encounter losing the top order early, Prithvi and Shikar started cautiously in the first 4 overs, punishing the bad balls from the seamers. Prithvi started with a wonderful back foot punch through covers, followed by a cracking cover drive of an out swinger from chahar, both these shots reminiscent of “Sehwag”. The more he batted, the more he looked like Sehwag through his carefree approach and bat swing. Once Chawla was brought into the attack, Prithvi’s eyes lit up and started hitting for consecutive boundaries though the off side targeting the square boundaries. Dhawan joined the party greeting Jaddu with a slog swept six to midwicket, eventually the scoreboard reading 50 in just 7 overs.

 

Spinners let down CSK plans yet again

At 10 overs , 88/1, DD was looking good to target nothing less than 200 on the board – Prithvi Shaw entertained with a 50 of just 35 balls. It was strange to see no change in bowling plan and Chawla and Jadeja was being hit regularly for 4’s and 6’s and still continued to bowl, only the Former Indian skipper will know his plans. Finally, Chawla bowls the right length on this pitch, dismissing Shaw (To a brilliant Stumping by MSD, his reflexes are still the same as it was a decade back) and Dhawan, CSK has brought the game under control at 103/2

Bowlers bounce back – Delhi sets up challenging 176 for CSK

Barring Ravindra Jadeja, who is having a nightmare series with the ball, CSK bowling unit bowled with discipline and control and did not allow Delhi to close the game with a flourish. Pant entertained for a while exhibiting his range of shots through the off side and his customary slog sweeps, well supported by the skipper – But Hazelwood, a worthy addition to the CSK ranks, and Curran gave nothing away in final 4 overs and Delhi dug out would not have been happy with 175 considering the blazing start they had.

 

4 Overs 22 runs, Test Match start for CSK, Is the chase on?

Before we discuss anything about the CSK chase, it is worthwhile to mention the brilliant tactic by the Delhi skipper Shreyas who had CSK completely off guard by employing 4 bowlers in the power play mixing up pace and spin and never allowing CSK batsmen to settle in. 

It was painstaking to watch Vijay and Watson, struggling against the quick bowling from Nortje & Rabada, could not get going against the left arm spinner Axar, who castled his bunny Watson by inviting him to hit him over deep midwicket – getting the better of Watson for the 5^th time in his IPL career. Vijay, who appears to have past his sell by date, was scratching and finally holed out playing an uncharacteristic shot to Nortje, who was clocking at 146 kph on the day.

22 runs in 4 overs, 34/2 in 6 overs, The “lack of intent” was much evident from the openers, CSK badly need a change at the top if they were to come back to winning ways again.

The match was completely gone and the next few overs will only decide the margin of defeat and the tactics to be employed to have minimal impact on the net run rate scenario.

Spinners halts the chase, Rabada,Nortje fiery spell at the death deprives Dhoni show

Amit Mishra, the seasoned campaigner, continues to impress by bowling the right speed and length on this pitch and along with Axar, both the spinners finished at an economy rate of less than 6 per over. The middle order could not shift gears, leaving too many for MSD & co to chase in final 3 overs. Once again, it was Du plussis who offered some resistance with a decent innings with no support from the likes of Kedhar and Jadeja.

78 needed of 25 balls – Dhoni arrives at the 16^th over needing to do the improbable, against 2 of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, and he tried to connect from the word go but the quality of bowling was incredible to take them on  – Shreyas tightening the off side field for Nortje and Rabada to unleash their Yorkers and short-pitched deliveries.

.Rabada was impressive through out the match bagging 3, while Nortje was bowling like the wind scalping 2 and showing his prowess with swing and pace. It was classic exhibition of death bowling in T20 and when Pant dived to take a spectacular catch of him “ Mentor”, officially the match was a “ gonner’ for CSK. 

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"k"(arnataka) “L”(egend) Rahul decimates “Home Town” boys, RCB back to losing ways.

 

Third Man” - A Review by Kannan

 

IPL 2020 – Kings XI Punjab VS RCB, Dubai, 24th September’2020

 

Toss

RCB won the toss and put Kings to bat, as it has been a trend in this Tournament. Interestingly, 5 out of the 6 Matches have been won by Team batting first.

 

Preview

RCB came into this match with a clinical Performance against Sun Risers and looking to build up on the momentum, while Kings 11 were yet to come to terms with the heartache from the  nail biting thriller against Delhi and needs a win to open their account in the Tournament.

 

KL Rahul, Mayank steady start, Chahal breaks through

The Kings 11 Openers KL and Mayank, knew their game in and out having played for Karnataka for a long time, gave a solid start putting 50 partnership for the 1^st wicket in just 6 overs. KL was pleasing to watch with this controlled stroke play driving through the covers with aplomb, cutting , flicking and piercing the inner ring repeatedly against the likes of Steyn, Saini and Umesh. When they were looking for more, Chahal, the best spinner on show through out this tournament, dismissed Mayank with a beautiful googly and looked hungry for more prey at the form he was in.

 

What followed was one man show and complete decimation of his former employers bowling attack by KL Rahul, creating history by scoring the highest score ( 132*) by an Indian batsman in the history of IPL since inception in 2008.

KL Rahul smashes to a brilliant Century, Kings scores 209

KL Rahul is making a name for himself in Indian cricket by scoring consistently in the limited over format whenever he gets to wear the blue jersey. He has been in tremendous form for India and especially Kings XI – He was in supreme touch last year and seems to continue from where he left off. It has been a brilliant decision by Kumble & the Management to hand him over the captaincy and he seems to be relishing it and turning things with his bat as well.

KL is a free flowing, technically correct stoke player who has all the shots in the book and when he is on song, he is a treat to watch and a nightmare for the opposition bowlers. It was no different this time around as he accumulated runs and decided to go all out from the 10^th over bowled by Umesh which went for 20 runs. He was calculative against Chahal, tapping him around and not giving him any chances, and picking the right bowlers he wanted to attack- Umesh, Steyn and Dube would like to forget the hammering they got as a bad dream.

His range of  Strokeplay was on display as he cut, pulled, swept, slog swept  the bowlers all round the park to reach the historical 132* of 69 balls at a phenomenal strike rate of 191, filled with 14 boundaries and 7 sixes – The pick of them has to be the pulled six of Dale Steyn which landed close to the midwicket roof followed by one whacked through extra cover for yet another biggie, Is this the Steyn who was one of the greatest of fast bowlers the game has even seen with 400 odd wickets??

Statistical insight on his assault in the last few overs will tell you the magnitude of this innings, Mindboggling numbers indeed.

Last 4 overs – 74 runs , Last 2 overs (Steyn and Dube) – 49 runs, 6,4,0,6,6,4,4,6,6 ( Looks like a telephone number ,isn’t it?) of the last 9 balls, 67% of the Teams run scored by KL. Lastly, KL Rahul scored 23 runs more than collectively RCB had score.

 

RCB supports KL Rahul

The magical century from KL was not without a chance, in fact there were 2 dropped catches, Kohli dropping him 2 relative simple catches at the boundary and helping his “former Team mate” to reach his spectacular hundred. It was a shame indeed that such a eye-catching innings has to be played in front of empty stadium in Dubai, while it would have got a rousing reception and chants of “ Rahul Rahul” would have reached high decibels had this been happened at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

 

Cottrell, Shami Destroys the Top order.

RCB had huge scoreboard pressure when the started their case and all eyes were on Padikkal, the new kid on the block, to repeat the heroics on his debut innings. However, Cottrell and Shami gave nothing away bowling with pace and control not allowing the openers to break-free. Cottrell was troubling the batsmen with his pace, short of the length bowling and left arm angle and snapped Padikkal early, followed by the “Big Fish” Kohli , both similar dismissals, with the ones that hurried to the batsman leading to miscued pulls to Bishnoi who accepted them with glee. Cottrell’s customary “ Royal Salute” show at the fall of each of the “ Challenger’s” wicket was adding up spice to the game. Shami , who has been economical and picking up early wickets in the 2 matches played, brought one back in and trapped the new comer Josh Philippe for a duck.

RCB had a disastrous start with the scoreboard reading 4/3, with a huge defeat at sight and all the hopes resting on the celebrated ABD, who promised in his short stay at the crease before outfoxed by M Ashwin, to a beauty of a googly tossed up nicely and AB miscued it to deep cover which was brilliantly caught by Sarfarz Khan.

 

Leg Spinner’s Party, RCB collapses to 97 all out.

ABD leaves, so as the hopes of a miraculous recovery from the RCB dug out and the die hard “vociferous “ RCB fans across the globe. What followed was a collapse leading to RCB getting dismissed for a meekly 97 which will only do more damage to their net run rate at the business end of the tournament.

It was the leg spinning due of the traditional M Ashwin and the talented under-19 cricketer Ravi Bishnoi who played the wrecker-in chief to dismantle the middle and lower order with their guiles and crafty bowling. While Ashwin was bowling slow and flighting the ball inviting the batsman to hit and outfoxing them, Bishnoi was slightly quicker , varying his pace and had the batsman dismissed through his faster ones and flippers. 3 Wickets in the bag each for the Leg spinners and the “ Mission accomplished” for Kings XI.

 

Changes needed for RCB

Chris Morris ( Injury worries) and Moen Ali are waiting in the wings and its high time one of them to be drafted into the 11 to set the combination all-right as Dube does not seems to be doing justice as an All-rounder. It is a tough call as this will lead to a shuffle in the overseas combination ( Aaron finch or Philippe to be out?), which will be another headache or Kohli & co. 

Washington needs to be used at the right time, needs to bowl his full quota of overs to get the best out of his abilities. Dale Steyn is predictable and if he has to play,  he needs to bowl out his over before the 15^th over. Kohli has his task cut out, another couple of loses on the trot, RCB will be going down in the points table.

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Swashbuckling Samson , Late Assault from Archer Powers RR to edge past CSK

 

Swashbuckling Samson , Late Assault from Archer Powers RR to edge past CSK

 

IPL 2020 – RR VS CSK, Sharjah, 22^nd September’2020

 

Rajasthan arrived as underdogs for this match to compete against the mighty CSK, who has started with a win on their opening match. CSK won the toss and put RR to bat first and lets see how the events unfolded leading to an entertaining match with 33 sixes, equally the IPL record for the most sixes recorded between RCB and CSK at Bangalore, 2018.

 

Samson’s day out, Smith Consolidates

 

With the loss of the early wicket of the young talent Jaiswal, Smith and Samson anchored the innings with a decent partnership. Samson started to cut loose with few sixes of the pacers and he reserved his best when the CSK spinners turned up to bowl. Jadeja was greeted with 2 sixes and Chawla’s confidence was completely dented with 3 Huge sixes straight down the ground and what followed was absolute carnage and display of brilliance from Sanju’s blade. 32 ball 74, studded with 9 sixes and the 50 coming in just 7 balls – Samson batting prowess doesn’t need more explanation that this. Samson, on his day, is a delightful batsman to watch gifted with beautiful timing and power hitting and is extremely unlucky not to have wore the blue Jersey yet, being a talented wicket keeper as well.

 

Smith played perfect partner to Samson giving able support and hitting few sixes at a strike rate of 150. Smith shifted gears once Samson departed and played a pivotal role for RR to finish off with a decent score of the board.

 

Bowlers strikes back

Post Samson, Smith departure, CSK bowlers hit back giving nothing away and brought the game under control, especially the late wickets from Curran. While it was looking like RR would end up with a score of 180-190, Jofra Archer arrived to face the last over, with not much reputation for big hitting and what he produced was a “fair tale” he would love to cherish telling  his grand children in years to come.

 

Archer Assault, RR finishes with a flourish

Ngidi’s bowling figures and reputation took a beating when Archer took him apart in the 20^th over hitting him for 4 huge sixes which completely turned the match into RR’s favour. No corner of the ground was spared and Archer was hitting the white cherry into the spot he aimed at like a “ Archer who strikes his arrows perfectly to the destination”. Is this IPL becoming a tale of Last over demolition act, Stoinis, Archer and who next?

 

Watson’s return to Form, Vijay departs without an impact

When the CSK openers walked out to bat, they had their task cut out knowing they have to attack from the word go to reach anyway closer to the humongous target. Watson found his timing and power right away clobbering 4 sixes on the leg side, the pick of them would be the trademark front foot pull which landed near scoreboard. Watson form with the bat is very crucial for CSK’s chances in the tournament and they need more of such innings in matches to come. Vijay, who looks a pale shadow of the elegant player who wore the “Yellow” during the initial CSK days famous for his effortless sixes down the ground, couldn’t get going at all and in an attempt to up the ante he holed out to deep midwicket. I wonder if this is the last time we see M Vijay in CSK Jersey as young talents are waiting in the wings.

 

Triple strike from Tewatia

It was a brave call by Smith to hand over the ball to the young leggie Tewatia inside the power play, who did not disappoint by striking thrice dismissing Watson, Curran & Gaekwad in a span of 2 overs. While Watson was done in by a flipper which hurried up to hit the Timber, Curran and Gaekward, nervous in his first outing, were foxed by flighted deliveries and brilliantly snapped up by the “ Man of the match” Samson. CSK were reeling at 77/4 in 9 overs with the target still far away and anticipation from the die-hard fans on what is in store from FAF & MSD.

 

Middle order muddle and Late fireworks from Du Plussis

While the middle order could not get things moving, the onus was on the seasoned campaigner FaF to strike back and he did not disappoint, though his flurry of sixes came little late.

Once he found the rhythm and timing, Du Plussis was unstoppable, especially against the pacers, clearing the straight and mid-wicket boundaries as if he would do in the net session. He batted with much needed “ intent” and a 37 ball 72 with 7 sixes kept the game intact with anticipation of Dhoni to join him in the party. While Faf was dismissed trying to catch up with the impossible run rate of 20 runs per over, Dhoni, batting at No 7, came in the 17^th over could not get going at all and the writing on the wall when 36 runs were left to be chased in the last over.

 

Customary Last over Heroics from Dhoni, 6, 6, 6, Helicopter lands at Sharjah

While It is no secret that MS likes to take the game deep and chase as much as up to 20 runs in the last over, It was too little, too late this time around. The Match has completely slipped out of hands and then comes the triple strikes from Dhoni, each of them were powerful strikers to long on and mid-wicket – One of them landed into the cark Park, to the delight of millions of CSK fans across the globe. If he continues in this vein in the upcoming matches, batting little higher, more points in the kitty guaranteed.

 

Changes needed for CSK

Dhoni to Bat higher ( probably at 5), Rayudu ( if fit) for Vijay, Gaekwad to be given few more games ( instead of Kedhar), Hazelwood for Ngidi, Curran to bat low down the order, Jadeja at the top to give the left – right combination going. Tahir is too good a player to be left out but the Overseas players combination may not permit this at this moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Controversial one short call- Third man's view

Punjab vs Delhi , match 2, one short call by umpire

 Viewers, as we discussed upon the exciting super over finish, we missed out to touch upon the controversial one short call by the umpire during the 18th over of Punjab Chase while Jordan was at the recieving end of the bad decision, which Probably cost them the match as per Preethi Zinda/Kings 11 Management.

Jordan appeared to have placed the

 bat inches inside the crease, but the umpire thought otherwise and called it one short, depriving "1 run" for the Kings.

While the decision was not correct, it is unfair to blame the umpire to an extent that this decision cost them the match. Imagine if Mayank cleared the boundary and not got out, Punjab would have won the match in style and this incident wouldn't have been discussed as much it is now.

Umpires are human and errors are part of the game whether it is the player or an umpire. I can recollect similar incident during last year IPL where Malinga's big no ball, during closing stages of the league match, was missed by the umpire leading to Kohli showing his anger and minced words against the umpiring standards in India. 

    Now that technology has become an integral part of the game, and the third umpire has acces to numerous footages, thanks to the broadcasters, it is high time the rules to be tweaked for the 3rd umpire to step in and immediately reverse a bad decision to bring sanity to the game as well as to the players involved, whether it is IPl or an international match.

The law makers should take note and Unless tbe laws are changed , these instances would be coming up now and then which will be called out as reasons for losing a crucial match.

My mind still goes back to 2019 Wc finals, the brilliant throw from Guptill hit Stokes bat and went for a boundary. Was this mistake of the "umpire" or the "inefficient laws of the game" which needs to have a relook.  I wish that boundary be nullified and New Zealand to be declared as "world cup Winners"-  Kane, how on earth he accepted this as "part of the game" and moved on...  

 

Match 2- IPL 2020, delhi vs punjab

Viewers, what an exciting cliffanger it turned out to be between Delhi and punjab at the 2nd league match at Dubai. Let's relive how things paned out and the game changing moments 

Scintillating Stoinis sets

 up the opening match for delhi, Daring win for Daredevils.

Swinging shami strikes early

   Shami was on fire with the new ball swinging it around , with able support from cotrell ( known for his army salute celebration), removed the top order in quick succession. pant and Shreyas had to grind it out with hopes of late assault at the closing stage. At one stage, Delhi looked like settling for a score of 130 but " swashbuckling Stoinis"had other ideas.

Swashbuckling Stoinis finishes the innings with a blinder.

While Stoinis is known as a Decent All

rounder,no one would have expected

 him to play such an entertaining knock which has set IPl 2020  on fire. His 21 ball 53 was filled with flurry of boundaries and poor Jordan has to pay heavily in the final, game changing over, which went for 30, runs. Stoinis ensured Delhi had a fighting total to play with.

Sedate start for punjab, Ashwin double strike.

 Punjab got off to a sedate start withth the skipper KL could not get going against Rabada and Nortje, who was clocking in the 140's troubling the openers with pace.  It was looking like a India vs south africa test match at wanderers where the likely openers Rahul and Mayank were at sea against these bowlers, brilliant pick by Delhi to have them in their armory.

While Rahul got cleaned up by mo, it was ashwin double strike in his first over which had kings completely on the back foot. It was unfortunate to see ash getting injured and fingers crossed if this will rule him out for few matches. 

Magnificent Mayank almost seal the match for 

punjab

While Mayank was slow to start off, he found his touch and timing at the business end, with the run rate creeping over 10 an over. He got better and better driving through the covers, despatching it over the third man fence, and hitting straight sixes at will, even taking on Rabada by scoring 13 runs in the penultimate over. The shot of the match has to be towering straight six of Stoinis in the 1st ball of 20th over

, giving him a taste of his own medicine. 

  

All round show by Stoinis, game tied

While just 1 run needed of 3 balls, the adrenaline got the better of Mayank who holed it out to deep cover. Jordan was brilliantly snapped at square leg by Rabada and the "IPL bosses ensured we have a super over at the start of the tournament.🤔🤔🤔

Super over- poor decision making by punjab think-thank

While the sensible decision would be to send the in-form players to bat out the super over ( my take is Mayank should have gone in), Punjab errored by sending out KL and Pooran, who both didn't have a good outing.Eventually, Rahul played a poor shot and Pooran's attempted hoick towards midwicket had his stumps cartwheeling

Delhi had a simple task to do, to chase probably the lowest super over score in IPL history and it was a mere formally.

 

Csk vs Mumbai, Ipl 2020, dubai, match preview

Pitch: The pitch was slow and low, not enough carry for the Pacers.  Chennai spinners used the conditions perfectly while the medium pacers varied the pace and made life difficult for batsman. For mumbai, Boult was on song moving the ball in to the batsman, occasionally taking it away while Pattinson was bowling quick. The game changing moment has to be " Raydu, Du Plussis partnership to see of the best bowlers" and then upping the ante at the right time.

[Csk vs Mumbai, match 1, IPL 2020 Review- " umpires call" ( as we all sitting at home, njoy the show and pass our judgements, we are in our own way umpires😁😁😁)

 " Hit"man" ever fit "man"MSD.

 Mumbai, as expected, got off to a blazing start with De Cock firing from all cylinders, though Rohit was subdued, it took brilliant tactic from dhoni to bring the mid off closer and the next ball Rohit drive straight to him- credit to "bubbly" chawla for bowling beautifully on the slow wicket and putting the pressure on the batsman.

From 86/2, mumbai collapsed to 160+ , mainly due to the variety of spinners and medium pacers in our ranks- no batsman could settle down. spinners used the conditions beautifully while the " flurry of wickets" at the business end by " lungi" ensured " trouser down" for mumbai..Du plussis need special mention for his brilliance at the long off boundary plucking 3 magnificent catches, which in Wankhede would have cleared the ropes...

 Mumbai started well and collpased, CSK, lost early wickets and finished on the winning note. 6/2, things were looking bleak, but raydu and du plussis played calculative innings putting on 100 runs partnership for the 3rd wckt, laying the foundation for the victory.    Did Murali Vijay not going for a review and walking off was a team strategy??😜😜to ensure boosting up the strike rate, only MS will have the answer.

  Raydu was in phenomenal touch driving through the covers, clobbering the no 1 bowler Bumrah for sixes, making a Statement to the kohli/, selection committee who ditched him for the World Cup" look, am the no 3 you should have played". His innings was the game changer as he dominated bumrah and other bowlers and neatly set up the match in csk favour.

There was drama at the end, with csk losing raydu and jadeja in quick succession, but "Thalaivar" brought a tactical ploy by promoting Sam Curran, being a left hander, who is making a name for himself as a fearless all rounder in international cricket. 18 of 5 balls, pulling bumrah to the mid wicket for 6, Sam snatched the game completely from MI, from There on it was mere formality and Faf finished it off in style

0 of 2 balls from Dhoni- who cares?? Chennai celebrated watching it's hero with the bat after so many months- his mere presence and staying not out while chasing was enough to " whistle podu" 👍👍👍