This is a post in hope but one I need to make because this season has shown promise although RCB are perfectly capable of not qualifying from this point as well. So, here goes-
- Please drop Finch. I think he is very very inconsistent and he piles a lot of pressure on the other three and it is going to be make or break from this point on. The worst part is that he bats in the power play and Paddikal has looked alright in his first season. It's not just the lack of runs with Finch, he is constantly searching for the in swinger and as a result his feet are like cement on surface so even the out swingers are now getting him out because he's so worried about the LBW.
- Please drop Gurkeerat. I don't think I've seen him go at even 100 till date and he simply lacks punch as a batter. What do I mean? His bat comes from really low down and while I think he could do a number on a finger spinner, any bowler with some speed will always trouble him. With his technique, he should at least be a good hooker and puller but he isn't, so unless Siraj or Umesh are bowling to him in the slot, he will struggle and unfortunately they're both in his team. I'm not a Dube fan but he did really well with both bat and ball in all the chances he got. He also will provide Morris some support if two people need to tonk it around at the end.
- When big moments come in big tournaments, the great players stand up. I don't see Kohli & AB getting a better opportunity together to get to IPL glory than this one. When they bat together, they must look to dominate and dominate from both ends. They both are so good that if the other gets out the other can still anchor for 7-8 overs and then cut loose. If they both get out, so be it. I think teams will soon find out that AB is the only real threat and if they choke him, the other end chokes itself. AB can't do it alone. Similarly, teams know that if they get Kohli, AB becomes a bit less effective. Simply put, AB needs to become more solid if they lose Kohli and Kohli needs to get more dynamic while with AB and after if need be. As simple as that.
This is my side for the rest of the tournament and I think in such crunch moments 'options' are priceless as demonstrated by CSK for 15 years.
1) Paddikal
2) Moeen Ali (Dynamic batsman, could bowl in the power play specially if two left handers are batting and has the ability to play spin in his sleep. At this point, anything is an upgrade on Finch and he has experience which Phillipe simply doesn't. He's calm and his quality is undeniable)
3) Kohli
4) AB
5) Dube (Is easily a better hitter than Gurkeerat and has bowled some vital overs when needed. Not a fan of his but he never did any wrong to be out. His replacement has simply not impressed.)
6) Morris
7) Udana (The wickets are getting tired, his cutters are really going to come into their own and he can hit a long long ball if needed. His death bowling has been average but may be him and Saini can share duties.)
8) Sundar (For me, he is my floater. A decade ago, Badrinath did this job for CSK where he was the umbrella man and would just walk in and stop any mayhem going on and not bat half the times. If there are 2 early wickets, he can easily arrest the slide.)
9) Saini (He's injured for the game tomorrow but he's surely a permanent starter so Umesh will play tomorrow)
10) Siraj/Negi/Shahbaz (Depends totally on conditions and how the batting is performing. My personal choice would be to go with Shahbaz. I think he's a good bat, brilliant fielder and a very good bowler. Obviously both Negi and him bat higher if they play.)
11) Chahal
IPL is wide open!
