Some strange things are happening in the IPL 2022. Rajasthan Royals were at it again. It was another strange move in the IPL. Ashwin was sent in at number 3. Just read it again. Ashwin at number 3. It was such a strange decision that anyone who had watched the game in the 90s were taken back to that era.
Back then, it was a common sight to see a bowler walk in at the fall of the first wicket. It was an era when bouncers were banned from the game. Only one was allowed in Test cricket and none in ODIs. Knowing fully well that the bouncers will not be forthcoming, every team more or less had one bowler who had power-hitting capabilities. A quick 30-40 in as less balls as possible was what expected of those hitters. The intention was to take advantage of the field restrictions in the first 15 overs. They were all collectively called Pinch Hitters. Some of them were quite successful in that role. Pat Symcox & Azhar Mahmood comes to mind immediately. This was shelved in a few years once bouncers came back into limited overs cricket.
Hopefully, the concept will be revived
Now Rajasthan has reinvented or rather given a new lease of life to a concept that had all but vanished. However, I do think that the choice of the personnel in this case, was wrong. Ashwin will never be a power player. He does not have the strength like a Symcox or Pant or Pandya. He is more of a touch player. In this case, he was asked to do something he was never accustomed. Needless to say, it failed but I hope that the intention remains. Rajasthan and other teams will do well go give a new lease of life for this concept. Ofcourse, it will fail but will succeed spectacularly if the right player is chosen.
Deepak Chahar ruled out
The mainstay of CSK bowling, Deepak Chahar has been ruled out of IPL 2022. This is a big blow to the team. He not only keeps it tight during the initial overs but also picks up a wicket or two. CSK who is already facing the heat with lack of quality bowlers will be handicapped further. Jadeja would have loved to have a different start to his captaincy career but it is unlikely to be. With no Hazlewood either, CSK is more or less ruled out from the playoffs. It is an ignominy that they underwent about a couple of years ago. The owners must be thinking about the mess that they made during the auction.
The CSK bidders must be taken to task for spending a whopping 14CR on someone who is unlikely to be available for the first half of the tournament. It was known even before the auction. The money must be paid to Deepak whether he played in all the games or none. Ofcourse, money is not the problem for the franchise otherwise, this particular pick does not make much sense.
Elsewhere on the international stage
Joe Root has finally relinquished his England captaincy. After months of being pushed from all the sides to resign and Root being adamant, some sense has finally been knocked into him. Root has often talked about him being passionate about taking the team forward and that his side played some brilliant cricket in the West Indies despite the series defeat. However, public opinion has changed following some relentless pressure for him to step down. Even the former cricketers have called publicly for Root to resign. This includes his immediate predecessor Alastair Cook.
“After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England’s men’s Test captain,” Root said. “It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me, I know the timing is right. I am immensely proud to have captained my country and will look back on the past five years with enormous pride. It has been an honour to have done the job and to have been a custodian of what is the pinnacle of English cricket.”
Now, the fun begins in English cricket. There is no obvious replacement within the team. Ben Stokes seems unwilling. Broad is out of the squad and so is Rory Burns. Will the English selectors be bold enough to do the unthinkable? Pick someone from out of the squad purely based on his captaincy credentials?
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