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Thinking differently paid off

I hope I am able to continue doing well, writes Anil Kumble

— Photo: AFP

CRISIS MAN: Royal Challengers’ Mark Boucher is capable of rising to the occasion when the situation demands.

At the very outset, as I sit down to take stock of the second season of the IPL thus far, there is one thing I must readily admit. In cricket, as in life, you never stop learning.

Take the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders wherein we opened the attack with spin from either end. While it may not have been a novel move as such that we employed it in Durban, is the real news.

Here was a pitch that usually had my good friends like Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad all excited, it being one the world’s fastest and we had spinners opening our attack. Daresay, we got it right, for we did note that the surface seemed unusually dry and hence the choice of spin first up and second to boot.

That we backed up the fine bowling effort with a good one with the bat made the match complete for us. We knew we had to win to stay in contention in the tournament and so were more keyed up in that sense.

Sweet win

That the win came against a side, that had thrashed us comprehensively in the inaugural game in the first season, made it that much sweeter.

The big difference with the batting was the start. I have been writing how our poor starts have cost us but the opening stand of nearly 70 set up the chase nicely. We did lose momentum when their slow bowlers came on and that is something we have to talk about and ensure that we put right.

Having a great finisher like Mark Boucher helps. In both games that he has played so far, he has shown us what he can do. He is a cool customer and makes everything look easy.

As far as finishes go, our skipper Kevin is done with the tournament and we’ll certainly miss him. His was a solid presence on the field and he is such a positive character that it is difficult to get negative around him. Of course, his absence means an opportunity for another one of our foreign stars to come good.

Enjoying bowling

About my own bowling, I am having a great time. I think the trick has been in grasping that one has just four overs to bowl and be prepared to try everything possible in that period.

The idea of just four overs is not something that a mind like mine, used as it is to long, long spells, easily adjusts to but this season, I think I have been able to make that adjustment.

I am now prepared to bowl my four overs in one spell or four spells of an over each or any other combination. Once you are aware and ready for such spells, bowling becomes easier and even pleasurable even in the T20 format.

I just hope I am able to continue doing well and my team does the same.

We have a game against Punjab coming up at the same venue and it is imperative that we put our best foot forward again. It would also help if we put our best hands forward and take all the catches on offer!

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