In the middle of the league stage, the Indians of Mumbai, the capitals of Delhi and the Royal Challengers of Bangalore are at the top of the charts and are on their way to the playoffs. These teams have identified their core group that gives them the best balance. Many of the other franchises have some problems with the bat or the ball. We look at a key question that every franchise must answer and what they could do to solve it.
Kings XI Punjab: Who are your four best foreign players?
King XI has used 18 players in the first half of the IPL, which is also the highest overall; only two foreign players remain on your team to get a match. In contrast, the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals tabletops have used only four and five foreign players, respectively.
Kings XI did not play Mujeeb ur Rahman until their sixth match and they ended up pitching him after the Powerplay against Kolkata Knight Riders. Chris Jordan and James Neesham haven’t had consistent chances. Glenn Maxwell has yet to hit a six and Chris Gayle has yet to be tried. Kings XI has changed and changed a lot and the clarity of roles seems to be lacking for most players. With pitches slowing down, the Kings XI must show more faith in their Indian spinners and decide which four foreign players they want to play in upcoming matches, which could allow them a consistent run.
Potential solution – Look to play Maxwell, Nicholas Pooran, Mujeeb and one between Jordan and Neesham. Also ensure that these players play specific roles in specific phases of a match.
Chennai Super Kings: How can you end your hitting problems?
The Super Kings’ biggest challenge has been their fragile and inconsistent hitting. Except for Faf du Plessis, no other hitter has been consistent. The absence of any batting attempts in different segments during an inning has hurt the franchise and that has played a huge role for the Super Kings by failing to exceed targets of 170 or less three times. The reason they are the worst batting lineup in the tournament can be measured from their Powerplay run rate and over middle overs: 7.14 and 7.61 respectively, which is worst and second worst at the half.
Potential solution – Give players like Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja more batting time and opportunities and use newcomer N Jagadeesan as a floater.
Hyderabad Sunrises: Kane or Nabi?
Kane Williamson has done nothing wrong to be eliminated, but the other three foreign players the Sunrisers have are invaluable and the only player who could be eliminated is the New Zealand captain. With David Warner and Johnny Bairstow showing solidity at the top, playing Williamson in four seems like a surplus. Importantly, it is the weakness of his bowling attack that has stood out in the losses suffered by the Sunrisers. Specifically, the biggest concern has been the fifth pitcher, a role played by inexperienced twins Abhishek Sharma and Abdul Samad, who have conceded a combined 187 runs in 17 overs with 11 runs per over.
Potential solution – With Bhuvneshwar Kumar injured, the sunrises could see the deployment of the experienced Allrounfrt Mohammad Nabi: he can float in the middle order and strengthen the bowling unit with his detour, which can influence the throws that are constantly slowing down.
Rajasthan Royals: – Who can be Jos Buttler’s stable opening partner?
The Royals have used four different opening pairs in seven games and added a maximum of 27 for the first wicket. They have an average of only 13.42. The Royals have lost the most land in Powerplay. This despite the presence of Captain Steve Smith and Buttler in the higher order. Smith has looked awkward and on top and now the franchise has promoted Ben Stokes to start with Buttler. But will it turn out to be a stable partnership?
Potential solution – The Royals must have faith in their decision-making and the hitter they choose to team up with Buttler.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Have you identified the correct batting order?
Four wins in seven games is not a bad start, yet the Knight Riders continue to change their batting order. Contributing factors have been the weak form of Sunil Narine, the batsman, before his bowling action was reported, the prolonged ordeal Andre Russell is going through, along with the position set for Dinesh Karthik, his captain. The Knight Riders, coached for the first time by Brendon McCulllum, have faced five batters at No. 4 in seven games.
Karthik has hit four different positions during this phase. Russell has also retired in different positions. Rahul Tripathi has been going from one starter to number seven every few games.
Potential solution – Knight Riders have to find a combination of six bowlers and ensure that the best spin bat players move up the order. The potential order could be Tripathi, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan, Russell, and Karthik along with five bowlers.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Should they continue to support Aaron Finch?
Surprisingly for a franchise that has finished on the lower rungs of IPL in recent years, the Royal Challengers have identified their main group of nine players this season. Usually when teams are winning, they don’t make a lot of changes. However, depending on how conditions are likely to favor the effects in the second half, there are two points that are flexible. One is the Indian national slot machine and the other is one of the two overseas slot machines. With Morris and Ab De Villiers expected to play every game, Isuru Udana or Aaron Finch must break through when necessary. Finch hasn’t had a great bat career with an average of just 24.42 and a hit at 114, but he has supported Devdutt Padikkal to provide good starts. As pitches get slower and lower, Finch could have a hard time scoring quick runs. Variations of Udana could be more useful in death and could be selected before Finch.
Potential solution – Replaces Finch with Moeen Ali at the top, who can also offer four overs or play Adam Zampa in place of Finch and play additional Indian batsmen with Virat Kohli as the starter.
Delhi Capitals: Would you need a wristband in the second half?
The Delhi Capitals Bowling Unit has been a pleasure to watch this season. Spinners and pacemakers have been playing exceptionally well in conditions that are not very friendly. The spinners have conceded just 6.34 runs over and have hit once every 18 deliveries in favorable terms for fast bowling. As pitches slow down and injuries plague the Capitals, the franchise could look to play three spinners. With Amit Mishra out of the tournament, the strength of the Delhi bank will be tested. They only have one replacement in Sandeep Lamichhane.
Potential solution – Replace Shimron Hetmyer or Anrich Nortje with Sandeep Lamichhane depending on the tone and add variety to the effects department.
Mumbai Indians – How to give Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard more batting time?
The Mumbai Indians are easily the most balanced and strongest unit in the competition. The only possible challenge the defending champs will want to tackle is finding a way to give Pandya and Pollard more batting time. Together they have played an average of 25 balls per game, which is only about 20% of the team’s innings, which seems very low for the massive returns the pair can produce.
Potential solution – With Pandya not bowling, it could be used to hit opposing rivals in the middle of overs and keep Pollard in death overs.
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