It’s hard to look past MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as captains

This is the first time that neither Dhoni nor Rohit are leading a side in the IPL, signifying the end of an era for sports fans. While the fans are finding it tough to accept the changes, even booing Rohit’s replacement Hardik Pandya at Ahmedabad, it seems the players have also found it hard to move on.

In CSK’s opening game against RCB, a few Chennai fielders, still used to Dhoni being the captain, signalled to the wicketkeeper to go up for a DRS. Dhoni, in turn, silently pointed at new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to remind them that he now had the duty of taking DRS decisions.

Something similar panned out in Mumbai’s first game against Gujarat Titans, where the atmosphere seemed more awkward and sombre. Hardik was booed by the fans of both camps – for leaving Gujarat after two seasons, and for replacing Rohit in Mumbai. Jasprit Bumrah seemed confused about tactics, Luke Wood did not warm up to the applause of Rohit and visuals of the two senior players discussing in a corner after the defeat even as Hardik was interacting with the owners indicated all was not well within #OneFamily.

The two bouncers rule can make or break a game

To make the game more exciting for the fast bowlers, the IPL introduced a new rule of allowing two bouncers per over from the 2024 edition, moving away from the one that was previously allowed. While it would keep the batters guessing, there is a fine line between using it as a surprise weapon and being predictable with it, as RCB learnt in their game against CSK.

When Dube walked out, CSK needed 66 to win in 7.3 overs. The all-rounder’s struggles against the short ball are well-documented and RCB welcomed him with a barrage of bouncers. Dube struggled initially but the bouncers kept coming, which allowed the batter to adapt against them. RCB also struggled to control the bounce on the short balls, conceding three wides, all of which were above waist-high. By the end, Dube seemed comfortable against them and RCB, who could have exploited the weakness well, let the game slip away.

Alzarri Joseph was primarily guilty of overutilising the short ball tactic against Dube. In the end, he was hit for two fours and a six by the batter as RCB lost the game.

The young Indian batters turned up the heat

Several uncapped Indian batters impressed with their big-hitting skills in the first weekend of the 2024 IPL. Abhishek Porel, used as an Impact Player by Delhi Capitals, smashed a 10-ball 32* against Punjab Kings to help his team end with a competitive total. Ramandeep Singh, Naman Dhir, Anuj Rawat, Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag were some of the other youngsters who understood the demands of their team and let go of inhibitions while batting without chasing milestones.

Several uncapped Indians have impressed in the #IPL2024 thus far with their big-hitting skills. 🥳 pic.twitter.com/ySpu5La4ZI

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) March 25, 2024

In a country where the attitude towards T20 batting is still largely conservative, the approach of the younger players is refreshing and augurs well for the future.

Elite T20 batters show their skills

Think T20 cricket and the most attacking batters in the current era that you would instantly think of are Andre Russell, Heinrich Klaasen and Nicholas Pooran, all of whom ensured the IPL got off to a blazing start courtesy of their heroics with the bat.

It started with Russell’s blitzkrieg at Eden Gardens, where his 25-ball 64* helped KKR score 81 in the last 33 balls of the innings against SRH. In the run chase of 209, SRH were 145-5 in 16.5 overs at one stage and it seemed like an easy win for the hosts before the Klaasen threatened to walk away with the game. He made 63 in 29 balls at a strike rate of 217.24, leaving his team with 13 to get in the last over. Harshit Rana’s nerves and a brilliant catch from Suyash Sharma eventually avoided an upset.

In the very next game of the IPL on Sunday afternoon, Pooran set out to complete what Klaasen could not the previous day. Lucknow, up against Rajasthan, needed 194 for a win. LSG were 60-4 in 7.3 overs when Pooran walked out. In the next 41 balls, he made 64 at a strike rate of 156.10 with four sixes and as many boundaries but he was unable to see his team through.

How the players in the spotlight went

A lot of eyeballs were on Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, the big-money buys in the 2024 IPL auction. Starc, bought for INR 24.75 crore, had a forgettable outing in his first game, going for 53 runs in his four overs without a wicket against SRH. The KKR quick also gave away 26 runs in the penultimate over of the innings, which swung the game Hyderabad’s way. Cummins, who was also playing the game and was given INR 20.50 crore, ended with 1-32 but bowled largely in the middle overs.

Hardik was also under the scanner after he was traded to Mumbai from Gujarat for an all-cash deal of INR 15 crore. Replacing a successful skipper in a franchise is never easy and Hardik, aside from all the off-field criticism, also did not have a great outing on the field. Opening the bowling despite three specialist quicks, including Bumrah in the XI, Hardik gave 30 in his three overs. With the bat, he demoted himself to No.7 and was dismissed in the last over when nine were needed in four balls.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were also in the spotlight in the lead-up to the IPL after they were not given central contracts. The BCCI, reportedly, was miffed with the two players prioritising the IPL over red-ball cricket, which led to the decision. Both scored ducks.