In a young man’s format, these old soldiers have swung games. The heart of the matter is you got to have your heart in the right place.
Age is only a number, ability and temperament can override physical limitations. In pressure situations, experience and skill are priceless attributes.
There was this joke about Chennai Super Kings that went viral during the auction earlier this year. The side, many joked, seemed an advertisement for 30-plus tablets.
Skipper M.S. Dhoni, Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh and Imran Tahir were well past their 30s, they said. But then, these men have proved the doubters wrong. CSK has been the toast of the IPL so far.
Gayle revels
Some cricketers, in the wrong side of 30s, from the other franchises have also grabbed eyeballs. Despite aching limbs, Chris Gayle continues to smash balls into the stands. He went past the 300-run mark after just five games for Kings XI Punjab, his strike rate, not surprisingly, over 150.
Gayle had gone unsold in the first round of auction, before Kings XI wisely snapped him up.
And leg-spinner Amit Mishra, with flight, drift and turn, has bowled beautifully for Delhi Daredevils. The delivery that spun from middle to hit Alex Hales’ off-stump in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad was a gem.
And the big and strong Yusuf Pathan of Sunrisers Hyderabad still delivers the big hits when his side needs them.
But then, none has been more influential than Dhoni. Exceptionally fit for someone past 36, Dhoni’s reflexes, both in front and behind the stumps, remains razor sharp. He still sprints faster than the rest, continues to defy age.
Fierce, fast and friendly
Whether taking the bowling to the cleaners, whipping off the bails in a flash or smilingly calming things down with a pat on shoulder after a fan had breached the security barrier, Dhoni has been ‘The Player’ of the IPL so far.
He has led CSK with great imagination — his bowling changes and subtle shifts in the field have been captivating — and struck the ball with breathtaking power.
Bravo has whipped up game-clinching batting cameos, had his moments with the ball with slower ones and yorkers and is still electric on the field.
Watson has rollicked at the top of the order — his hundred against Rajasthan Royals was a throwback to the past — and bowled his seamers usefully.
And Harbhajan’s off-spin, with canny variations and control, has been top-class. He has pegged back the run-rate in the middle-overs and struck vital blows, such as getting A.B. de Villiers stumped. And his enthusiasm is infectious.
These men continue to enjoy their cricket and there, perhaps, lies the trick.
