Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen wants the batters to take the game deep in the chase of big totals citing the example of legendary chase master MS Dhoni. As this edition of the IPL proved to be a close one, many teams have failed to chase down totals as teams tumbled down under pressure in the crunch moments of the game.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Kevin Pietersen shared his view on the batters approach to ace the run chase in the Indian Premier League. Speaking on teams failing to chase down the total, the former England star wants the batter to take the game to the final overs citing the example of CSK skipper MS Dhoni, who has mastered the art of finishing games for his side.
“When you are chasing 200, you have got to take the game deep. How many times does MS Dhoni, the king of the chase, always used to say take the game deep, get to the 18th over, 19th over, 20th over,” Kevin Pietersen said on Star Sports.
In recent games, KL Rahul-led side collapsed in the final six overs failing to score 30 runs for the last six overs with eight wickets in hand. LSG skipper scored 68 off 61 balls before being dismissed in the final over by Mohit Sharma.
Similarly, Sunrisers Hyderabad failed to chase down a low total against the under-performing Delhi Capitals in their previous match and Rajasthan Royals failed to chase down a score of 155 runs despite being comfortable to one stage of 87-1 at the 11.3 overs mark.
I Think That’s What Virat Kohli Was Trying To Do This Evening – Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen said the youngster is trying to take down the bowlers from the 12th and 13th over itself, where in the process losing numerous wickets, helping the bowling team to defend the total from a struggling position. Pietersen said that RCB stand-in skipper Virat Kohli tried to take the game deep, but fell to a fantastic catch by Venkatesh Iyer in the 13th over.
“What’s happening now in the chase, these guys are seeing 200 and they are trying to win it in the 12th or the 13th over. The bowlers are under tremendous pressure and I think that’s what Virat Kohli was trying to do this evening. Unfortunately, he got caught by a spectacular catch. That’s the nature of the game,” Kevin Pietersen added.
Royal Challengers Bangalore were comfortably placed in the chase until Virat Kohli’s dismissal as the RCB’s vulnerable middle order could not take up the challenge to finish the game for their side with Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabudessai and Wanindu Hasaranga could come over the top against the two-time champions.
RCB suffered their fourth loss from eight games in the league stage so far and would like to rectify their mistakes before going on the road for five straight games starting from Lucknow Super Giants on May 1.