Former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth feels that T20 cricket favours batsmen more than bowlers and called for a balance between the two aspects of cricket. He had played 43 Tests and 146 ODIs in his career for India.
The former captain of India wrote it in his column for Times of India while reviewing the last two T20Is between England and Pakistan. The first T20I was washed out while England successfully chased down a total of 196 in the second T20I against Pakistan.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth: England Were Never In Trouble Despite A Daunting Target Of 196
Pakistan were defeated despite putting up a mammoth 195 runs on board with both experienced Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez striking half-centuries in the second T20I after the first one was washed out after England scored 131/6 in 16.1 overs. Babar Azam scored 56 off 44 balls and Mohammad Hafeez scored 69 off only 36 balls.
He wrote, “As expected, England’s firepower with the bat carried them through. No total looks safe these days, especially against England who seem to have cracked the limited-overs code at last. At no stage were the hosts in any trouble against a daunting target. This brings to focus where this format is tilting heavily in the favour of the bat.”
Mohammad Hafeez (Image Credit: Google)
“When 50-overs cricket was still in its infancy, even flat wickets produced only four runs per over on an average.In my opinion a score of around 150-160 and giving the team batting second an equal chance would make for quality viewing. Now, that T20 is a part of the regular mix in international schedules as well, stakeholders should ensure interest is kept alive, else it would go the same way one-day cricket has,” Srikkanth added.
Despite Mohammad Hafeez’s heroics England won the second T20I by five wickets to lead 1-0 in the three-match bilateral series.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth Praises Eoin Morgan And Says Even 92 Was Defended On The Same Day
In the second T20I, England skipper Eoin Morgan reached crease and survived a hat-trick after leg-spinner Shadab Khan had reduced England to 66/2. But Eoin Morgan played a magnificent innings of 66 off just 33 balls alongside Dawid Malan, who scored 54 not out took the match away from Pakistan during a third-wicket stand of 112. Eoin Morgan departed but England won by five wickets with five balls remaining.
“All said, it was fascinating to watch Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan play fearless cricket. The scoreboard pressure hardly had any effect on their free flowing game. Backing your instincts and playing your natural game does have its advantages,” Krishnamachari Srikkanth concluded.
“There must be something in the wicket to make it a better contest. On the same day, we also saw a total of 92 defended, despite the opponents not being bowled out. It can’t be that extreme either. Low and slow turners do provide gripping contest, but again, that should not become the norm,” Krishnamachari Srikkanth wrote.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth referred to a match played on the same day where St Lucia Zouks successfully defended a paltry score of 92 against Barbados Tridents who managed to score only 89/7 in stipulated 20 overs.