Innovation is key in T20 bowling: Pathan

Irfan Pathan

DD all-rounder reveals what works best in the 20-over format for a bowler

Irfan Pathan has been an unsung hero for the Delhi Daredevils in many ways. The left-arm pacer might not have got as many wickets as he would have liked, but has been economical and kept batsmen on their toes while creating pressure from one end. The all-rounder has chipped in with useful contributions to help his team win in tight situations as well.

One such example was DD’s last game against KXIP when Irfan returned with figures of 4-0-24-0 and later, scored an unbeaten 19 to help in his team’s successful run-chase.

In a free-flowing chat with iplt20.com Irfan Pathan passionately spoke about plying his trade and the innovations that Twenty20 has brought into cricket.

Excerpts from his interview:

How has Twenty20 impacted bowling?

The way people sometimes criticize [and say] that T20 is not cricket, I would like to disagree with them because so much innovation in happening in T20 cricket. The batsmen have started playing reverse-sweep to fast bowlers; switch-hits. Batsmen like Kevin Pietersen hit sixes being a left-hander while people struggle to hit sixes with the right hand. I have seen a humongous six hit by David Warner in Australia with the switch-hit. Obviously then, the bowler has to innovate. That means you require the skill [to play]. Without the skill, you can’t innovate [...]. When you bowl 24 balls, it means that you need to be on the target all the time. [...] In T20, game one over makes a difference.

In the game against KXIP, one over from Parvinvder Awana went for 15 runs [and that made the difference]. Before that, the game was evenly poised. So a bowler has to be on the money and the batsman as well.

On innovating

Innovation and doing the right things at the right time is very very important. Basically you need to hit your target, [by bowling] yorkers, slower deliveries. I am trying to learn some new slower ones. I bowled a few yesterday, a different type of slower one because the batsmen get used to you as well. The one delivery, people know that if you bowl one slower one batsman knows that; the batsman is going to be ready, so you got to keep thinking. You need to keep adding things to your armoury.

There is so much technology [which helps others figure you out]. We have those tablets on which we keep watching the videos of batsmen and bowlers and get a bit of an idea of what they do. People keep watching you, so you need to get better and better all the time. Doing the basic [things right] is very important. Doing the simple thing is sometimes the best thing, but you need to have the armoury and that little innovation, little slower one, little different, which actually makes you special.

[Lasith] Malinga is so successfully in IPL because he is very different. Not everyone can bowl like Malinga because it is different, and therefore, it is very hard to pick. If you have a normal conventional action, you need to keep improving and keep adding something knew [to your bowling]. Even the smallest thing, which helps you keep in the loop, and batsmen will think, “Oh he can bowl some different slower one.”

On whether there are specific new deliveries that the pacers are developing

The bowlers are doing quite a few new things. They used just roll the fingers, now we actually [use] over-the-wrist slower one, back-of-the-hand slower one, [and there’s] rolling of the fingers. There are a lot of the things that they try to do. I am trying to do one thing as well, but it might take some time. I am trying to learn a new slower one, which might help me in the long term. But sometimes that [particular] skill and that something new [that] you are trying before you try in the match you need to work even more in the nets. But at the same time, every bowler does something or the other.

The use of the angle, the crease, bluffing the batsman sometimes, changing the field; those sorts of things you have to be doing it. [...] There are a lot of bowlers who try to bowl round-arm if they have high-arm action. There are one or two deliveries, which [we] try to bowl round-arm, just to catch the batsman off-guard. And trying to do something different might take away one run.

While bowling in T20 cricket, getting one run in one ball is like a win for a bowler. [...] I really think that innovation is going to keep happening in T20 cricket because it is a great skill in cricket. [...] [In batting there are] reverse slaps, switch-hits. [It’s] outstanding some of the cricket out there ; hitting straight, hitting over the covers also. But then, switch-hit… who would have thought but things have come in and people like to see it.

On motivating young bowlers after they are taken for runs

Being a senior [...] I have spoken to a lot Umesh [Yadav]; Varun [Aaron] has just started coming in. I [would] tell Varun to just look after [himself] and being fit and do a lot of core work; whatever little before he wasn’t playing [since] he was injured. To Umesh I tell, always aim for bigger things because he can achieve bigger things. I really believe that don’t be satisfied by small things; achieve, aim more and try and achieve at that level. If you are going to aim [at] that level, you are going to keep working harder and harder.

As far as motivating them goes, I keep checking their body language. If I find body language is in trouble that’s when I go and talk to them. Otherwise, I don’t say much because they are also very professional and sometimes leaving them be [is better]. [...] People understand that they are going to go for runs, but at the same time having that positive body language it is very important.

For me as well, sometimes, it is difficult because it being [given] a responsibility when you go for runs, it is tough. [...] Sometimes you get frustrated. There are one or two balls I have bowled being frustrated, and then, bowl a bad ball. But most of the time, I keep telling myself make sure that the next ball is important. If you are going for runs, make sure minimize that boundary or six as much as you can. Sometimes, it is difficult, but I keep telling myself keep in control. I think right now, especially in the last couple of games, I have been more relaxed. Very relaxed.

On the art bowling in death overs and powerplay overs

I have been working with [TA] Sekar sir and Eric [Simons] about bowling. But at the same time, I also try to think about variations, etc. Batsmen are going to pick you if you have only one variation, so am trying to work on that as well as making sure to try and be in the stumps as much as possible. [...] I would have liked to take more wickets, but I am happy [being economical and contributing].

At the end of the day, being an all-rounder, being in the team, batting at No. 6 and 7 sometimes float [in the line-up] as well. My job is to bowl well; if I get wickets, fine. If I don’t get wickets, make sure I don’t go for too many runs. There are two or three games where I have gone for runs, which can happen too, I have accepted that. But apart from that, I have been economical as well. It is God’s grace that has been working well for me so far this season. Chipping in with a few crucial runs lower down the order is my job also being an all-rounder. [...] Making sure that I stay till the end if I can, and try and take risk when it’s necessary in batting.

When it comes to bowling, my job is to make sure that first I don’t give that many runs. If I get a wicket well and good, because there are other bowlers there attacking and taking wickets as well. Sometimes your role changes as well, but it is always good to get wickets.
I want to make sure that I help my team in whatever little way that I can.

On whether he aims for wickets or a low economy rate

If I am bowling my first over with the new ball [then I] try and get wickets. And then obviously, when I am bowling in the middle overs or above ten, I make sure that I try and look for economy. [...] My job is to make sure that I bowl well. If I get wickets, well and good. If I don’t, I make sure that I don’t go for runs. I don’t mind shifting the job as well, try to be more aggressive. [...] But you have to make sure whatever team and captain requires from you be ready for the job.

On which format is most difficult

Test match is difficult. In terms of endurance, […] you have to go on for a long time. [...] So mentally and physically you get tired in that sense. [...] You have to bowl one line and batsmen won’t create difficulties. But I love bowling long spells and swinging the ball because you get to do a lot of things with the fingers. You use your fingers with the ball and swing the balls and do variations. Sometimes you tend to take one step back in T20 cricket and don’t use those fingers that much in terms of swing, but [bowl] slower balls, etc […]. In One-day cricket, you need to have to bowl two or three spells, but at the same time it goes till fifty overs. Each of the formats have some or the other challenges. But I just love playing cricket, doesn’t matter what format; I just want to keep playing. Each has one or two difficult things, but you have to be ready for everything if you want to be a professional international cricketer.

On whether bowlers play a bigger role in Twenty20

Yes, I really believe that the bowling unit is most crucial unit in any team. The batsmen are there and they will do the job; [that is] they [will] always hit. Nothing to take away from them because it’s a skill, [and] you need the skills to hit big shots or innovations and to be changing gears as well. [...] Bowling has become more important unit in T20 game. If you have five bowlers and they are doing their job, your team is going to do well more often than not. Even if you have skillful bowlers or bowlers who can do the basic things as well as some innovation at the right time in the right overs in right number of balls, you know you will do well; which is very important because the less runs on the board, the better it is for the batsman to chase it down.

Lots of people thought it is a batsman’s game. It is a batsman’s game, but that makes it even better for the bowlers to come good and feel more important.

On the challenge of bowling to RCB’s Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers

I am looking forward to that challenge because they have been wonderful cricketers. The way Gayle hits and the way de Villiers is batting… He is batting in the form of his life the way he is hitting [and] timing the ball. The way he took apart Dale Steyn in one over, not many batsmen could do that.

[...] I love challenges. I don’t mind bowling against the best batsmen. I have done that for a few years. I love that challenge.
I am excited about the game tomorrow.

IPL 2012 high-five: Week 6

Two-man shows, a twin feat and a red-hot delivery 

It’s been a week for partnerships. While batting duos have lifted teams, fielding partnerships have been profitable too. And if it’s not a partnership, then it’s one player matching another’s feat. This past week, we’ve witnessed the unlikely occurrence of two players posting the same 100-plus score – 109 – in quick succession. The two-man show takes centre stage in this week’s picks, even as a red-hot delivery steams its way in.

The Morkel-Anirudha partnership
Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals – May 10, 2012

When Albie Morkel and S Anirudha came together at 84 for six, the Chennai Super Kings were faced with an uphill task – 43 runs off 22 balls.

Rajasthan Royals must have fancied their chance then, for they had almost everything in their favour; the crowd was behind them, the opponents had their backs to the wall, and there were two new batsmen at the crease, one of whom was playing his first match of the season. However, in a matter of moments – six strokes, to be precise – the contest was decided.

After Anirudha had taken a single off the first ball he faced, Morkel smacked a full-length delivery from Pankaj Singh for a six over long off. The following delivery, Morkel attempted a pull shot and the top-edge sent the ball over the wicketkeeper and into the ropes.

A single later, Morkel was again at the striker’s end for the first ball of the next over, bowled by Shane Watson. This one was pitched up too, and received the same treatment as Pankaj Singh did – except it flew over the ropes at long-on. A single later, Anirudha was back on strike, with his team still needing 23 from 15 balls.

Watson dished out a short delivery, and Anirudha, standing back in the crease, smashed it over midwicket for six. Next up was a full toss wide outside off stump, and Anirudha duly carved it away through point for a boundary.

RR skipper Rahul Dravid summoned his best bowler – Shaun Tait – for one final throw of the dice. But it was not to be his night. The Australian quick landed one full-length delivery on middle stump, and Anirudha, standing way back in his crease, picked the line and length and dispatched it nonchalantly over the midwicket boundary to seal the deal.

Just for the record, the partnership between Morkel and Anirudha was worth 43 runs, and they took only 1.5 overs to score those runs. Both batsmen finished with identical figures, 18 runs from six deliveries, with two sixes and a boundary. Chennai Super Kings won the match by four wickets, with 11 balls to spare.

The 109-run club
Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers – May 10, 2012; Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders – May 12, 2012

DLF IPL 2012 saw two contrasting centuries in two days. While David Warner’s unbeaten 109 against the Deccan Chargers was typical of his style – lots of power and attitude – one got to see many facets of batsmanship in Rohit Sharma’s century against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Delhi Daredevils were in a trouble when they lost captain Virender Sehwag off the second ball while chasing 188. However, the diminutive Warner quelled any hopes DC had of pushing for their third win of the season with an astonishing innings.

The Australian, playing his second match of the season, opened his account with consecutive boundaries through the off-side and played some brutal shots through the rest of the evening; while many deliveries were disdainfully dispatched through point and cover, there were many others which sailed over the ropes through square-leg and midwicket too. He reached his hundred in style too; rocking back to a short delivery from Ankit Sharma, bowled on leg-stump, Warner pulled it high and wide over square-leg for six. His unbeaten 109 was his third century in his last four T20 innings in India and his second century in the IPL.

Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 109, meanwhile, set up Mumbai Indians’ convincing win over KKR. One got to see almost all aspects of batsmanship in that knock; there was technique, timing, placement, footwork and aggression too. The 25-year-old’s flair was evident from the shots he played in that knock; there were the copybook drives through cover, extra cover, mid on and mid off. He cut wide deliveries through point, pulled and hooked short deliveries through the leg-side, and swept the spinners’ deliveries with little difficulty. The hook over square-leg and the six over long on – both off Brett Lee – were the standout shots during his knock.

Hilfenhaus’ perfect delivery
Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils – May 12, 2012

MS Dhoni had opted to bat first whenever he’d won the toss at Chennai. Not this time, though. There was moisture in the track and it was certainly worth a try, putting the opposition in. But the decision could have backfired equally, given his side would be bowling to the likes of Virender Sehwag and David Warner, two batsmen capable of doing a lot of damage in double-quick time.

A special effort was required and Ben Hilfenhaus delivered just that. After drifting onto Sehwag’s pads and conceding a boundary through fine-leg, Hilfenhaus adjusted his line a tad the following delivery. He landed the ball on middle and off, pitched it fuller in length and got the ball to move away just enough to beat the outside edge of Sehwag’s bat and kiss the top of off stump.

This was classic Test-cricket stuff. But as coaches will tell you, if you get the basics right consistently, success will follow irrespective of the format, the conditions or the opponent.

Botha-Rahane double-act
Rajasthan Royals v Pune Warriors India – May 13, 2012

On most days, the off-drive played by Rahul Sharma off Shane Watson would land over the ropes and earn the batsman six runs. Not this time.

Johan Botha, fielding at wide long off, ran a few yards to his right, got to the ball and took the catch a yard from the boundary rope. There was more to follow; the South African couldn’t stop the forward momentum of his run and was poised to take the ball across the boundary, conceding six runs.

That’s when his presence of mind kicked in. Alert to the situation, he flicked the ball back into the field of play just before he crossed the rope. Ajinkya Rahane, who was running in from long on too, was aware that the ball had been flicked back by his teammate and ran across towards the ball to complete the catch.

One of the most glittering bits of fielding in IPL 2012.

Rayudu, Pollard save the day
Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore – May 14, 2012

After reducing the Mumbai Indians to 51 for five, Royal Challengers Bangalore would have believed the match was theirs for the taking. When Kieron Pollard joined Ambati Rayudu in the middle, the visitors had their backs to the wall; they still needed to score 121 runs from 67 balls to clinch two points from the match.

After several twists and turns – Rayudu and Pollard scored 19 in one over, 14 in another over and only a full-length dive saved Pollard from being run out – both teams were in with a chance heading into the last few overs of the chase.

MI still needed to get 41 runs off the last three overs. That’s when Rayudu cut loose; he hit R Vinay Kumar for a six over long off, followed it up a boundary through extra-cover, and then sent one crashing straight into the sight screen behind the bowler. Zaheer Khan’s tidy 19th over – which saw only nine runs being added to the total – meant MI still needed 14 runs from the final over with all three results possible.

RCB skipper Virat Kohli surprisingly picked Chris Gayle to bowl the final over. The Jamaican soon got a taste of his own medicine with Pollard teeing off; he first dispatched a low full-toss on his pads over the mid-wicket boundary, an attempted heave through the leg-side resulted in a lucky boundary through third-man while a boundary through midwicket sealed the deal for his team.

The unbeaten 122-run stand was the highest partnership for the sixth wicket in all Twenty20 cricket and earned MI an unlikely win.