Despite the lack of conclusive statistical proof, a few techniques have proven to be particularly successful tactics for otherwise unlucky bowlers in this Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Wides and traditional length balls on top of the off stump are those techniques. With these techniques, coaches and mentors are coming up with strategies to recover some control over the flying and rampaging batters, even as the bowlers are getting hammered.
There had already been 679 wides before the halfway point of the season’s 55th match; by the end of the season, that figure is expected to surpass 734 from the previous year. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, who is currently with the Kolkata Knight Riders, previously defended wide balls by saying that they might annoy hitters and possibly lead to mistakes. It could also throw off their rhythm. Arun told Cricket sport, “Two or three straight wides… and the batter might be tempted into an experimental shot.”
For clubs like Rajasthan Royals, who are ranked second in the points standings and have conceded the second-highest number of wides this season (83), the approach appeared to be working to some extent. The Delhi Capitals (78 wides) have also used this strategy with good results. In fact, they used this wide ball tactic to their advantage and defeated Chennai Super Kings in Visakhapatnam (Game 13, March 31).
With 66 wides, the Knight Riders, at the top of the standings, have done a good job of working it. This is how most pace bowlers typically bowl to annoy batsmen. Unfortunately, Mumbai Indians (88), who have interestingly bowled the most wide deliveries, have not exactly found success with this tactic. However, the Mumbai Indians haven’t had any success this season with anything.
The second tactic was evident in Monday night’s Mumbai Indians vs. SunRisers Hyderabad match at the Wankhede, when the bowlers attempted to bowl to a red-ball line while taking advantage of the slight grass and some surface help with the new ball. In his first two overs, Pat Cummins bowled mostly to an off-side line, sending the ball sailing over the off-stump.
Former India pacer and national selector Debasis Mohanty stated, “That can be effective in any format.” This was a few years back. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed in the SunRisers Hyderabad innings for edging a ball that Sanjay Manjrekar described as a normal Test delivery on TV.
Throughout his four overs, debutant Anshul Kamboj primarily targeted that length. The 23-year-old pacer, who is from the Karnal area of Haryana, showed incredible perseverance, accuracy, and self-control in his four overs, even though he didn’t receive any just compensation. Twice this season, Travis Head—who has emerged as the most potent hitter—could have been his victim, but if only… After he destroyed the Australian, he was referred to as a no-ball. Nuwan Thushara also failed to hold a simple catch at third man on another occasion.
The SunRisers’ assistant coach, Simon Helmot, stated of Kamboj, “You must be a very good bowler if you’re good enough to be picked in the Mumbai Indians first 12.” He is just one of several talented young bowlers that are making their way through the IPL. It is evident that you made a solid effort if you were able to take Travis’ wicket.”
Even though Kamboj finished with just one wicket (one for 42), it was one of those evenings where the stats did not quite match the effort. Kamboj was highly successful, yet he wasn’t fortunate enough.
Kamboj’s coach, Amarjit Kaypee, believes he has what it takes to play in India. “He belongs to the international division. He bowled at 138–139 mph today, but he can consistently bowl at 145 mph. Regarding the young rookie who played for India in the India Under-19 competition, Kaypee remarked, “He is very disciplined and is a very good batter too.” Before being purchased at auction for the starting price of Rs 20 lakh, Kamboj was noticed by a Mumbai Indians scout after taking 17 wickets in 10 Vijay Hazare Trophy games this season.
On Monday, Kieron Pollard provided details about the young player’s scouting process and how he was ultimately awarded the MI cap. “They search for talent first by going out into the world and visiting various regions of India during the campaign, and then you consider it in terms of the activities that we have. He was also one of the ones who was observed. And he has shown up for the entire season, doing everything he can to consistently hit the line and length in the region you specified. It also takes some time before you obtain the go-ahead because you’re a new guy. He has put in a lot of work, and I believe it is well earned. We’re in a situation now where you can, in a strategic sense, see what the other guys have to offer, the Trinidadian added.
He bowled Head a no-ball, then another illegal delivery, and consecutive free hits resulted in an expensive over (18 runs). He was soon enough restored to play again by Hardik Pandya, the right-arm bowler displaying a great deal of heart and determination as he bowled two superb overs with decent length deliveries. In the end, he concluded with a flourish. If in the upcoming days we do not see more of him, it will come as a surprise.
Along with players like Jasprit Bumrah (one for 23), Pandya (three for 31), and Piyush Chawala (three for 33), who all helped the Mumbai Indians win by seven wickets, Kamboj was one of the night’s standout performers. Of course, the most impressive player was the incomparable Suryakumar Yadav, who ridiculed all bowling tactics with an undefeated century (102). However, from the perspective of the Mumbai Indians, this kind of dominant innings came too little, if not too late in the season.
