The biggest domestic Twenty20 tournament returned this weekend, packed to the rafters with its usual brand of razzmatazz, excitement and talent. If you were too busy doing other things away from the television, here is what you missed.
A steep learning curve for Mark Wood
Running in and bowling fast doesn’t work in T20 cricket. Despite Chennai Super Kings’ remarkable one-wicket opening day win over defending champions Mumbai Indians, England’s Mark Wood learned the hard way. The Durham man was smashed all around the Wankhede Stadium, shipping 49 runs from his 24 balls.
The fact Wood was picked up for £167,000 was fairly surprising in the first place, given the 28-year-old had played just 22 T20s in his career before Saturday.
Narine clattered 50 off 19 balls, including five sixes, to get Kolkata Knight Riders off to a flier in pursuit of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 176/7. He hit the first ball of the innings over bowler Yuzendra Chahal’s head for four, slog-swept the second for six before taking 20 off a Chris Woakes over.
His stand-and-deliver, carefree style is an excellent tactic. It ensures that the most is made of the opening six Powerplay overs, while also running with the theory that wickets are overvalued in T20 cricket.
Same old problems for RCB
Bangalore have never won the IPL. They’ve finished second three times and third twice, but have never tasted glory – that’s despite being led by Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Every season it’s a similar story. RCB spend most of their money on top-order firepower and neglect the bowling department. Their first game against KKR saw new signing Brendon McCullum hit 43 from 27, de Villiers make 44 from 23 and Kohli post 31 – and then the more balanced home side cruise home by four wickets.
Chris Woakes took 3-36 with the ball but first impressions indicate RCB have fallen into the same trap once again. An ageing Chris Gayle may have been offloaded, but using three of your four overseas players in the top four isn’t a winning formula.
