#TFGtake: Why there are never any favourites in T20
THE NEW ZEALANDERS surprised one and all after they beat a formidable Indian team in the World T20 opener yesterday in Nagpur. However, at the toss, when the Kiwi skipper announced that they will be playing three specialist spinners at the expense of their strike bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee, the entire cricketing fraternity was baffled at the decision.
Some experts even questioned if the Kiwis had read the pitch and conditions right. And, when they were bowled out for 127, not many expected the Black Caps to win. That said, New Zealand spinners spun a web around the marquee Indian line-up and stunned the hosts by 47 runs.
New Zealand’s surprising win once again proves that in T20, regardless of the conditions and form, there are no overwhelming favourites. A week back, many also believed that the Australians who were coming off a drubbing against the Indians would struggle against the hosts South Africans. However, the Aussies came out on top, despite their wobbly bowling and made their critics eat the humble pie.
T20 cricket is all about momentum, but it certainly doesn’t mean that winning culture and reputation alone will help you win games. As the Indians found out yesterday, every day is a new day that brings about different challenges in this frenetic format. The men in blue were enjoying their dream run, winning 10 out of their 11 T20 internationals, but just when everybody expected the hosts to romp home, the Kiwis reminded us of the fact that you are only as good as your last game.
Talking about the pitch in Nagpur, it was clear from the first over that spinners were in business and the Indians, who went into the match as the favourites were out-classed at their own game. Furthermore, the Indian batsmen misread the wicket and showed no application and fell prey to their own plan.
Indian fans will remember how the celebrated batting line-up failed miserably against the visiting Sri Lankans in Pune a month ago. India’s defeat once again showed how important it is to assess the pitch and conditions rather than finding yourself guessing. The T20 format continues to send the message- respect the conditions or don’t expect a different result.
Finally, yesterday’s match between India and New Zealand also proved that on a challenging wicket, even if a team is chasing a low total to win a game, it won’t be easy. The T20 format might encourage slam-bang hitting, but on a tricky wicket, it all comes down to the basics.
