Gautam Gambhir has highlighted Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli‘s ‘bad calculation’ in the death overs, saying all-rounder Shivam Dube shouldn’t have bowled the final over in their 2020 IPL encounter against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).
After a 10-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad to start things off, RCB’s long-standing death-bowling woes came back to bite them in the second encounter. Dale Steyn and Shivam Dube leaked a combined 49 runs in the last two overs, propelling Punjab’s total to 206 from 157 at the end of the 18th over.
An early collapse meant RCB were never in a comfortable position during the chase as they ultimately lost by 97 runs.
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Highest scores by an Indian in IPL:
KL RAHUL – 132* (2020)
Rishabh Pant – 128* (2018)
Murali Vijay – 127 (2010)#IPL2020 | #KXIPvsRCB pic.twitter.com/BpRaxeTKsU— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) September 24, 2020
Gambhir wasn’t impressed by Kohli’s decision to hand Dube, who had conceded only 10 runs in his first two overs, the 20th one with KL Rahul batting at over 100.
“I know Shivam Dube bowled really well in his first two overs,” Gambhir said on ESPNcricinfo. “Yes, you would be tempted to give him a third over, but not the last one. When KL Rahul is already set and batting on 100+, you are walking on the edge, because that can happen.
“I, definitely, would have had Navdeep Saini or Dale Steyn bowling the last over, even though Steyn is not the best death bowler. But I would have given the last over to the best bowler.
KL Rahul:
First 60 balls: 9⃣0⃣ runs
Next 9 balls: 4⃣2⃣ runsBrutal.#KXIPvsRCB | #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/MjTirAgiEp
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) September 24, 2020
“He finished off Navdeep Saini by the 17th over (18th). Probably, you could have used Umesh Yadav, who did not have the best of the days. But Shivam Dube bowling the last over was probably bad calculation.”
Gambhir, the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain, criticised Umesh Yadav for his expensive spell – 35 runs in three overs – as well.
“I think some of the blame should go to Umesh Yadav too,” he said. “Because your most experienced bowler – Navdeep Saini is also young, who is bowling well and can be used in the death – but until and unless Umesh Yadav doesn’t give you a good over or two at the start and towards the end, RCB will always have problems.”
