EXCLUSIVE
Follow UsWhile Gujarat Titans (GT) aim to strengthen their case for a place in the playoffs, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the other hand will look to bring an end to their three-match losing streak. Afer winning three put of their first three matches, KKR have slipped up and need to restart their campaign, beginning with their match against an in-form Titans, who have won five of their six matches so far.
Playing for the first time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Alzarri Joseph bowled a good spell against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which included conceding just one run off the 15th over. Joseph, who was previously with the Mumbai Indians (MI), was bought by Gujarat Titans (GT) for INR 2.40 crore.
Former Australia pacer Dirk Nannes said that he liked the confidence and aggression with which he bowled. He further adds that Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson and Joseph could be the three overseas option for GT for the rest of the tournament.
“I always like the strongest bowling line-ups go through to the finals. The bowling teams really get you into the finals. He [Joseph] bowled really difficult overs. He bowled the sixth over [vs CSK], which is always incredibly tough,” Nannes said on Cricket.com.
“He bowled the 15th the other night and went for one run - relatively crunch time in the game. He comes in with the confidence and aggression that I really like, while the others have been just floating the ball and not really authentic in their attempts to try different types of balls. He was really impressive. I think you can keep playing that bowling attack. Why not?”
Another issue GT have is their No. 3 position. They have tried Sai Sudharshan, who has scored 46 runs at a strike-rate of 118 and Vijay Shankar, who in the four innings, has managed just 19 runs, striking at 54.3.
Given his excellent innings against CSK, can Rashid Khan bat in that position? Nannes thinks GT could go for it as they have got nothing to lose.
“In that situation, you've got to be thinking, 'Is he [Rashid Khan] the best No. 3 in the team?' Probably not,” Nannes said.
“He's got a duck and a 40 off 21 balls - a great 40 off 21 balls - but it was at the death. He has shown he is pretty valuable down there. You don't want to waste that sort of strike-rate and keep it in the sheds. You want to use that, it's a really good asset to have.
“But I'm not sure it necessarily has to come in at No. 3. They are not getting anything out of the No. 3 at the moment and something has to give. Maybe, it's worth a shot. I wouldn't do it personally. But there are better cricketing minds than me in that side. It might be worth a shot. What's to lose because you're getting nothing out of the No. 3 at the moment?”
Aaron Finch returned to form with a brilliant 28-ball 58 against RR. Nannes reckons the Australia captain’s role should be to strike at over 200 at the top, but adds that Sunil Narine may necessarily not be the ideal man to partner him.
“The important thing for him is strike-rate and that's what I really like about what he brought in the last game - striking at 200. His weakness is that maybe he has been a little conservative over the last year or so. He is trying to score, have the right positive mindset. That needs to be his role,” Nannes who played for the Netherlands and Australia at the international level said.
“What that means to Narine's position to opening the batting, his numbers aren't flattering this year. When you've got Finch going at the other end if he continues that strike-rate, I'm not sure you need someone like Narine at the other end.
“Maybe you need someone who can craft an innings. Generally speaking, you want the best batsman to face the most balls. He's [Narine] putting up a little cameo, but if you're getting that strike-rate at the other end, maybe it's better to give the other end to someone who can build an innings rather than Narine.”
