Bhajji and RP, a study in contrast

That the Deccan Chargers blew their match against the Rajasthan Royals is a known fact now. How could a team, which didn’t have a huge total to chase — and had well-set batsman — end up losing the game? Sunil Gavaskar writes.

The pressure in the T20 format is non-stop and it’s not just the batting and bowling but also the fielding that comes under the hammer. It is a concentrated game of three hours and so the only time a player can relax is when he is back in the pavilion.

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This is the reason why ‘street smart’ cricketers are more likely to do well even if they don’t have the talent of some others in the team.

That the Deccan Chargers blew their match against the Rajasthan Royals is a known fact now. How could a team, which didn’t have a huge total to chase — and had well-set batsman — end up losing the game?

While the top-order is to be blamed for playing some ordinary shots, what was galling was the mess they made in the last over when only six runs were needed to win with three wickets in hand.

Rohit Sharma was batting very well at one end and all that was required was for the tail-enders to tap the ball and give him a single. Instead, we had RP Singh trying to play lofted shots off two deliveries and missing the ball completely. It was a waste of three deliveries.

The Deccan Chargers now have to win almost all their remaining games in order to qualify. It is not easy but if the seniors click, it can happen. They cannot leave the dirty work to the tail-enders like RP Singh.