After a slowish start, PBKS ended their innings strongly to put an above-par score at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. CSK got off to an even slower start before Ambati Rayudu took them close. Ravindra Jadeja had another poor outing with the bat and CSK eventually lost the match by 11 runs. Let’s look at some key moments from match 38 of 2022 IPL.
Livingstone entered too late?
Liam Livingstone has been the most aggressive batter from PBKS. Against CSK, he ended up with 19 runs off just seven runs, and his cameo was the reason behind PBKS reaching an above-par score. However, had PBKS shown more intent earlier, Livingstone could have faced more balls.
After the end of the 14th over, PBKS were 117-1. With both batters set at the crease, the team would have wanted them to increase the scoring rate with many resources in the shed. But in the next three overs, PBKS could score only 28 runs. They lacked the intent in their shots, and that delayed Livingstone’s entry. Had they taken more risks, they could have scored close to 200.
Arshdeep Singh – Death overs specialist?
Arshdeep Singh has been one of the most promising Indian bowlers in the last few years in IPL. His ability to consistently nail his yorkers has made him one of the better death bowlers in the tournament.
In the last two IPL seasons, Arshdeep bowled 23.1 overs in the 16-20 overs phase, picking up 14 wickets at an economy of 9.45 RPO. This year, Arshdeep has only picked one wicket in the death overs from his nine overs in five innings, but his economy rate has been 7.33. So despite not picking up wickets, he has been extremely defensive in his bowling and that has helped PBKS choke their opponents in the last five overs.
Jadeja – Lacking the finishing touch
In the last two seasons of IPL, Ravindra Jadeja evolved as one of the best finishers in the death overs of IPL. That form and confidence have even translated into outstanding finishes for India in T20Is, where since 2020, he strikes at 190.63 in the 16-20 overs phase, averaging 122.
This year, the finishing touch has eluded him. In seven innings so far in the 16-20 overs phase, Jadeja has scored just 93 runs off 60 balls, a strike rate of 155. His strike rate might not be too bad but he averages just 23.2, and with four dismissals in seven innings, he hasn’t been able to finish the games for CSK.
The added responsibility of captaining a side can weigh down a player. CSK would hope that Jadeja, the player, contributes more often in all the three departments of the game.