It would be blasphemous to start the discussion without Virat Kohli, who not only hit his 51st fifty for RCB in IPL, but also gave a clear message to the Indian selectors — that’s he still relevant in the shortest format. His innings of 77 from 49 deliveries had the right balance of patience and aggression, and that’s what Team India would need from him at the T20 World Cup 2024.
But it wasn’t just Kohli who made the headlines on the day, a few notable performances came from elsewhere too. There was a certain Dinesh Karthik, who found a way to shine at the IPL again. Not to forget Harpreet Brar, who was excellent on the day with the ball, and ended with Test matchesque figures of 2/13 in fours overs. So, here is your dose of Daily Review System for March 26.
T20 World Cup, Virat is Coming
Remember the time just before the IND vs AFG T20I series in January, where Kohli wasn’t available; questions were raised, if he fits the T20I format now or not. In fact, after his struggles in the first match vs CSK, some doubters had given their verdict, but then Kohli is a class apart. He decided to answer the naysayers with his epic 77. His coach Rajkumar Sharma too posted a special message for the 35-year-old. It read, “His Bat Does the Talking.”
The ‘Right’ Shashank Singh Steps Up
The IPL 2024 Auction saw the confusion of highest order, when PBKS ended up bidding for the 32-year-old Shashank Singh, instead of his namesake, who they initially intended to buy. They made a futile attempt to reverse the buy, but that never happened. After the goof up, the team issued a clarification that they got the ‘right’ Shashank. Hell yeah, they did. In the match vs RCB, he scored 21 from eight balls, hitting a four and two sixes.
DK the Dark Horse in Race for Keepers
When one talks about the wicket-keepers for the T20 World Cup, the names of Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma, Rajat Patidar, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson are floated. But we tend to forget Dinesh Karthik, who is somewhat of an IPL giant. On the back of 330 runs in 16 matches in 2022 season, he made it to the 2022 World Cup squad. Now, versus Punjab, he created a flutter with 28 from 10 balls, as RCB chased 177.
Miserly Harpreet Brar
What’s a good economy rate in T20Is? 8 seems acceptable, and between 7-8 is more than decent. 6 is as stupendous, as it’s rare. But on Monday, Punjab spinner Harpreet Brar ended with match figures of 2/13 in four overs, bringing his economy rate to 3.20. That’s the sort of spell which would be considered good in Tests as well. But unfortunately, that effort wasn’t enough on the day as the team lost by four wickets.
Harshal Patel Nears Ton
It looks like, gone are the days when Harshal Patel was the bowler who could not only pick wickets, but contain runs. But this year, in two matches he has already given away 92 runs in two matches, picking up only three wickets, at an economy of 11.50. Against RCB, he was ineffective and gave away 45 runs in his four overs. Punjab need to soon find a solution for this mess.
What’s Wrong Rajat Patidar
A lot was expected from Rajat Patidar during the IND vs ENG series, and he failed. A lot is expected from the hard-hitting batsman in IPL, and he has failed twice already. In the match vs CSK he was out for a duck, and now against PBKS, he scored 18, that too at a strike rate of only 100. He can be devastating with the bat, but needs to regain his lost mojo soon.
Super Over: 6 News Flash of March 25
Cut Pandya Some Slack
Social media on Monday was abuzz with videos of MI skipper Hardik’s Pandya getting booed during the GT match. One of the most important players for Mumbai, as well as India, Pandya was only playing in his first match after his injury. But he was severely criticised for opening the bowling. As for captaincy, he might not be as great as Rohit Sharma, but has won the IPL once.
Kohli, Listen to RCB Fans
Ellyse Perry broke the car window during a WPL match, and RCB women won the trophy in the second season. And now Kohli needs to do the same, to bring the cup home in IPL as well. Or so the fans wish and desire badly. You never know, it might just work.
‘Holi’ Day Spent Well
Out of their busy schedules, the cricketers got some respite on Holi, as they celebrated the festival with the teams and the families. The heartiest moment of the day was Rohit Sharma playing colours with his daughter Samaira.
Murali Kartik’s ‘Trash’ Talk
Pacer Yash Dayal moved from GT to RCB, after his horror show against KKR’s Rinku Singh last year, where he was slammed for 30 runs in the last over. The man fell ill after that, and even lost 7-8 kg of weight. Finally in his new team he did well, and returned with figures of 1/23. But commentator Kartik made a loose comment, saying, “Someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure.”
IPL Stays in India, Despite Elections
The general election notwithstanding, all the IPL 2024 matches will take place in India only. The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will host the Qualifier 2 and the final on May 24 and 26. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on May 21 and 22.
How’s That for a Proposal
Lalit Modi, the brain behind IPL, has suggested that the BCCI should maybe consider starting a secondary league in tier-two and tier-three cities. “That’s where the appetite is and that’s where you should take the tournament. Use the September-October window earmarked for the Champions League for this. May be even think if the winner can be promoted to the IPL for the next season,” Lalit told Rev Sportz.
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