Its raining hat-tricks!

Its amazing how T20 format is turning out. At first notion it was considered as a batman’s glory game, and a bowler’s guillotine. But looking at the number of hat-tricks being taken just in the inaugural tourney of IPL, it doesn’t that ominous from a bowler’s point of view. First it was Balaji(CSK), then Mishra(DD) and the latest is Ntini(CSK). So it can’t be bad for bowlers eh?

As to why its raining hat-tricks, there is one simple logical answer to this question – Pressure

If one notices the timing of all these hat-tricks, it’s evident that these wickets were taken at a time when batsmen were under immense pressure of jumping required run rates and diminishing number of balls, more popularly known as death. So given such a situation, a bowler doesn’t need to try any form of rocket science stuff to get wickets, just keeping it simple can do the trick. Bowling stump to stump, keeping a good length, with an occasional variation of pace is more than enough. The moment the batsman mis-times the shot, you get the opportunity to take a wicket. And that is exactly what the likes of Balaji,Mishra and Ntini did.

Balaji is back, with a bang! The guy had a long time off cricket due to stress fractures in his back. He deserves much credit for his immaculate performance against KXIPunjab. He has this ability to vary his pace, that makes him dangerous. That subtle variation of pace is the key, Fooling the batsman and leading him to mistime his shot. But I personally give him more points for get his first two scalps in that match(Marsh and Sarwan),than for the hat trick. They were the most crucial wickets in my opinion, to win the match. But anyway, I’m happy that he’s back now,and I hope to see him back in the Indian squad sooner than later.(yeah I know the obvious question- so who shall be kicked out? Million dollar question it is. Good competition is the best thing for a team)

Mishra was a bit of a surprise package. I have yet to see him in action more often, so for now my views are reserved. But atleast I hope his presence is enough to restrain Viru from trying to bowl again.

As for Ntini, the guy didn’t even know he had taken a hat-trick! He only realised it when his team mates told him so. The comedy of that moment was that Ntini’s first victim of hat-trick was trapped on the last ball of his over. After this he went off and came to bowl his next spell about an hour later. So, by that time the memory of that last ball wicket had faded into the floodlights. He took two consecutive wickets in his returning spell. Hat-trick completed! along with it KKR faced yet another defeat, with rain gods not favouring them at all.

Now how many more to go, we can’t say yet. Lets wait n watch………………….

PS-DD won their match against RC yesterday, which is a relief. for now atleast they are some how getting a hang of their winning ways again. But the MI threat looms large on now, and semis birth looks a little out of reach. yet, its too early to say anything, they might just scamper in. But their middle order batting woes continued in the last match also. Thats one area DD are extremely vulnerable. They desperately need someone solid and dependable down there. Or else shall i say they dont even have a slightest chance to win a semi final(even if they do manage to qualify).