In the Super Over against the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Delhi, did the Rajasthan Royals (RR) make the wrong selection of batters?
Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, a left-right combo, were brought in by RR for the Super Over with Yashasvi Jaiswal as the third batter after Mitchell Starc matched the score for DC in ordinary time. Parag and Jaiswal were run out on the fourth and fifth deliveries, respectively, after Starc grabbed the ball for DC once again and gave up just 11. Against Sandeep Sharma, KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs had to chase it down in just four balls.
Nitish Rana scored 51 off 28 in regulation time; could RR have sent him in? According to Ian Bishop and Cheteshwar Pujara, yes.
“I think Nitish should have been there in those three,” Pujara stated on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut. However, I’m not sure if he ought to have begun. Since Jaiswal has an incredible record [against Mitchell Starc] in all formats [26 runs from 15 balls without a dismissal in T20s and 133 from 203 with three dismissals in Tests], I would like him to start.
“There’s a psychological edge, even though I knew it was the Super Over and Starc was only attempting to execute his yorkers. Starc would have been under some pressure if Yashasvi had faced a couple balls.
Pujara’s other panellist on the episode, Bishop, concurred. “I like Jaiswal at the top there, but I am biassed towards Nitish Rana as well,” he stated. “I would not mind Rana’s silky skill to come in there, not necessarily raw power.”
The appearance of Hetmyer also caught DC skipper Axar Patel off guard. According to Axar, “Hetmyer wasn’t able to connect in the match either,” following the match. “I therefore thought Riyan and Jaiswal would emerge. However, whatever they sent out, it worked out beautifully for us.
Rana himself backed the team management’s choice when questioned about it.
“I think it was a correct decision,” he stated at the news conference held after the game. “The team management, the captain, and senior players decide it.” “This question would not have arisen if Hetmyer had hit two sixes. Our finisher, Hetmyer, has previously delivered for us.
“I believe we missed a major shot. In the Super Over, we set a goal of 15 runs because we knew that if you reach that total and take one wicket, there’s a possibility since the batting team will be under pressure. I believe Starc deserves the credit. After a long time, we witnessed this kind of death bowling in the IPL.
Sandeep, who bowled the Super Over in the 2019 ODI World Cup final, was favoured by RR with the ball over Jofra Archer.
“Sandy has bowled such overs for us previously,” Rana continued, “and I think he was most likely the best bowler we had for this situation.”
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