T20 cricket: A few smart strategies
T20 is a revolutionary format of the game. Purists and pundits of the sport have their say that T20 cricket is 'destroying' cricket and test matches have 'lost their value'. That is the reason of the T20 format being a highly controversial figure. So, in this blog, I'm going to share my opinion about strategies of the game; and especially about the approaches towards the game; when to be attacking and when to be defensive. And, to give knowledge in an easier way, I have mentioned a few FAQs and answers for them. Read on!
Bowlers should get the knack of taking wickets, and getting dot balls and keeping the batsman under the radar should be secondary. But why so? Bowling dots resembles impressive talent, that too meaning controlling an ultra-attacking batsman in an ultra-attacking format. However, even though the batsman is attacking, keeping him in defense can, in fact, help the batsman settle. If the batsman scores almost 1 runs off 5-6 deliveries, the batsman has got used to the conditions, the pitch, the outfield and the bowlers too. And then, after understanding everything, the batsman can wreak havoc. Whereas, on the contrary, wickets are a much better choice. On each and every delivery, the bowler should try capturing the batsman's wicket and try to unsettle him and make him lose his confidence. If a batsman tries to settle down, scoring 1 run off 6 deliveries, and then the fielding team should capture his wicket. After him, the new batsman will arrive. He will take another 5-6 balls to settle. And then, by that time, the bowlers should dismiss him. And so goes on the cycle, and then, by that time, the batting innings will be over. And so, that's why wickets should be preferred above dots.
Shuffling with bowlers is an amazing strategy. One can be fast swing, another legbreak, then fast-medium and another can be chinaman. The batsmen may get frustrated by the variety of bowlers. But however, as they say, too much of anything isn't good. So, in the powerplay, the bowlers should be used adequately. If the bowlers are shuffled too much, then the batsman's memory can help him. "Oh yeah.. that chinaman guy? He bowls leg spin around off stump.. I'll take room and smash him over sweeper cover." "The fast swing bowler? Yeah he bowls outswingers at the middle stump.. so that we try to defend or play the cover drive and get out. I shan't give him much room." And so, the shuffling strategy is a good one, but should be used adequately.
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| Rashid Khan |
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| Jos Buttler |
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| Jofra Archer |
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| Rishabh Pant |
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| AB de Villiers (my personal favourite) |
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| Andre Russell |
Are X-factor players important in this format? If yes, then why so?
X-factor players are a very important factor. An X-factor player, is a player who is distinctively attacking, be it a batsman or a bowler. Some brilliant examples of X-factor players are AB de Villiers, Rishabh Pant, Andre Russell, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Rashid Khan, etc. Another factor abot them is that they have a large variety, be it of 360° shots like the reverse scoop or lap shot or bowling variations like the googly, flipper, slower ball, knuckle ball,etc. And the whole T20 format is about being unique and tricking one's opponent and knocking 'em down, so X-factor players play a huge role.
So what about the conditions such as pitch, outfield, weather, etc.?
All of these play a very important role. If dew is present in the pitch, the batting team should look to give a difficult target to the team which is going to bat next (such as 170-180) , since if dew is present, chasing can be easier. The batsmen should be wary of spinners, since in slightly wet conditions (and dew too) the ball may not spin at all. Dry, hard and bouncy pitches are perfect for a batting team. A score of 180 should be adequate for such a pitch. A grassy pitch is a bowler's pitch. The more the dry pitch, the more bouncy it is and more the grass, the more the ball will stay low. And the more the ball will stay low, the more difficult it will be for the batsman to score. At such a pitch, even a score of 140 is difficult to score or chase.
For more runs to be scored, the outfield needs to be dry so that the ball can reach the boundary easily. Whereas, if it has rained earlier in the day before the match, boundaries will be more difficult and the batsmen will have to look for lofted shots and good running between the wickets. If the wind is going against the bowler, then runs will be easier for batsmen, but running between the wickets will be harder. 160-170 would be a good score in such conditions. If the wind is going with the bowler, swing is likely and batsmen will find it difficult. 140 will be a great score in this kind of wind. However, while the bowling and batting ends change, the conditions can take favour of the other team too!
X-factor players are a very important factor. An X-factor player, is a player who is distinctively attacking, be it a batsman or a bowler. Some brilliant examples of X-factor players are AB de Villiers, Rishabh Pant, Andre Russell, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Rashid Khan, etc. Another factor abot them is that they have a large variety, be it of 360° shots like the reverse scoop or lap shot or bowling variations like the googly, flipper, slower ball, knuckle ball,etc. And the whole T20 format is about being unique and tricking one's opponent and knocking 'em down, so X-factor players play a huge role.
All of these play a very important role. If dew is present in the pitch, the batting team should look to give a difficult target to the team which is going to bat next (such as 170-180) , since if dew is present, chasing can be easier. The batsmen should be wary of spinners, since in slightly wet conditions (and dew too) the ball may not spin at all. Dry, hard and bouncy pitches are perfect for a batting team. A score of 180 should be adequate for such a pitch. A grassy pitch is a bowler's pitch. The more the dry pitch, the more bouncy it is and more the grass, the more the ball will stay low. And the more the ball will stay low, the more difficult it will be for the batsman to score. At such a pitch, even a score of 140 is difficult to score or chase.
For more runs to be scored, the outfield needs to be dry so that the ball can reach the boundary easily. Whereas, if it has rained earlier in the day before the match, boundaries will be more difficult and the batsmen will have to look for lofted shots and good running between the wickets. If the wind is going against the bowler, then runs will be easier for batsmen, but running between the wickets will be harder. 160-170 would be a good score in such conditions. If the wind is going with the bowler, swing is likely and batsmen will find it difficult. 140 will be a great score in this kind of wind. However, while the bowling and batting ends change, the conditions can take favour of the other team too!
So this was about T20 format, and a few strategies for the game. Hope you implement it when you play a T20. So this was all for today from my blog. Cheerios, and keep on playing cricket and reading my blogs, Mis Amigos!! And don't you know about my YouTube channel? Do check it out! Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYlk5iGjQ3K3EaL_73kM3A
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