The fine art of slow over rates

Even as Punjab stand-in skipper Jayawardene feels it is unrealistic to bowl one over in four minutes; Deccan director Reddy says teams had agreed to rules and should now abide by them

Even as Punjab stand-in skipper Jayawardene feels it is unrealistic to bowl one over in four minutes; Deccan director Reddy says teams had agreed to rules and should now abide by them

Sachin Tendulkar

Some skippers' sole focus is the success rate of their teams, while some have cause for worry over the manner in which bankable stars have let them down. Other captains like Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar have had a dream run in this third edition of the Indian Premier League. But the common predicament that has not spared any of the eight captains is the conundrum of how to complete 20 overs within the stipulated one hour and 25 minutes.

Add to it, the hefty fines (see box) for slow over rate and captains are feeling the heat.

"Am I out as well after this?" Mahela Jayawardene joked when asked about having to deal with slow over rates.
Explaining the skippers' predicament, the Sri Lankan batsman, who filled in for Kings XI Punjab skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who was serving a one-match ban, said: "These are crucial matches and finishing the over in four minutes is a bit unrealistic."

Saurav Ganguly

According to him, the first six overs are very, very crucial. "You have to think a lot as batsmen are always going after the bowlers. Probably in the middle overs, you can just run around and try and finish off the overs. And then again in the last few overs, you've got to think. It's very tough," Jayawardene said after his team's four-wicket loss against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday.

With Sangakkara handed a one-match ban and a hefty fine of $50,000 for being found guilty of a slow over rate for the third time, Jayawardene just about managed to finish off proceedings in time. But he did advocate that a few more minutes be added to the T20 format.

"We've been on the borderline. But I think if a few minutes are added to a T20 game, it will be very beneficial," he said. "Also, the art of captaincy in Twenty20 cricket is a challenge because tactically you have to think a lot and rotate the bowlers to try and create more opportunities. So that's something which we should think about in future."

Kumar Sangakkara

Meanwhile, Director of Operations for Deccan Chargers Venkat Reddy felt that once the teams have agreed to the conditions then they should abide by the rules. "The fines are in accordance to the International Cricket Council rules. There's nothing anyone can do about that. And since we have agreed to follow the rules, we may as well abide by them," Reddy told MiD DAY yesterday.

Sangakkara has served his suspension. Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Sourav Ganguly is under the scanner and has already been charged $20,000 for slow over rate. And if Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar fails to finish the 20 overs in time in his next match, he too may have to sit out a match suspension.
Over to the skips!