15 matches into the IPL 2022, senior commentator Harsha Bhogle has made a sharp observation about this season’s tournament that had been missing in the previous years.
Harsha Bhogle, a revered commentator with a broadcasting experience of three decades, asserted that the IPL 2022 has been rewarding for the bowlers while in the previous editions it was the batsmen who had the bigger say in the final outcome of matches.
“For so long considered a batsman’s tournament, it is so good to see the #TataIPL rewarding the best bowling sides,” Harsha Bhogle tweeted.
Here’s Harsha Bhogle’s tweet that has got the fans thinking:
For so long considered a batsman’s tournament, it is so good to see the #TataIPL rewarding the best bowling sides.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 8, 2022
This tweet and opinion of Harsha Bhogle can be exemplified by the IPL game between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals.
The Capitals had been given a rollicking start by opener Prithvi Shaw, who scored 61 runs off 34 balls. However, after Shaw’s wicket, LSG bowlers tied down the DC batters till the end. What once seemed a good final total of around 170, was restricted to 149. All of the LSG bowlers contributed significantly in tying down the likes of Warner, Pant, and Sarfaraz.
Off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham playing in his first game this season – he was also benched by CSK for the entire season last year – was particularly impressive after Shaw had rained into him. He had leaked 19 runs in his first 8 balls, before dismissing Shaw. He then tightened the choke with a maiden over to Rishabh Pant; this was the first time in the IPL that Pant had played out a maiden.
In LSG’s batting too, DC bowlers made a match out of it despite Quinton de Kock’s 80 off 52 balls, and Anrich Nortje, their returning star speedster, having a poor outing. The likes of Kuldeep, Mustafizur Rahman, Lalit Yadav, Axar and Shardul dragged the game till the last over keeping their side alive. And although DC lost the game, their bowlers made sure that their run rate didn’t take a massive hit.
Earlier in the season as well, strong bowling teams such as Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Gujarat Titans have all made thumping wins on the back of their solid bowling attacks.
