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Finch Slams Axar's "Makes No Sense" Bowling Call in DC's Heavy Defeat

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has strongly criticized Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel's decision to bowl part-timer Nitish Rana for four expensive overs instead of utilizing premier spinners Axar and Kuldeep Yadav more. Finch suggested the move revealed a lack of trust from Axar in his own bowling under pressure, despite his pedigree as a World Cup winner. The tactical error occurred during a match where Sunrisers Hyderabad, powered by Abhishek Sharma's blistering 135*, posted 244/2 and won by 47 runs. The victory solidifies SRH's position in the top half of the table while DC's campaign hits a stumbling block.

Key Points: Finch Criticizes Axar Patel's Bowling Tactics in DC Loss

  • Finch criticizes Axar's bowling strategy
  • Nitish Rana's part-time spin conceded 55 runs
  • Abhishek Sharma's 135* powers SRH to 244/2
  • SRH wins by 47 runs to move to third
3 min read

"That makes no sense....": Finch slams Axar's decision to bowl part-timer Nitish Rana against SRH

Aaron Finch questions Axar Patel's decision to bowl Nitish Rana over premier spinners as SRH wins big. Analysis of the IPL 2024 match.

"To me, that makes no sense. - Aaron Finch"

Hyderabad, April 22

Former Australian captain criticised Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel's decision to bowl Nitish Rana's part-time spin for its full quota of four overs instead of his side's premier spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and himself.

A stroke-filled 135* in 68 balls from Abhishek Sharma and a four-wicket haul from Eshan Malinga were the highlights as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) started to establish themselves back in title contention with a 47-run win over Delhi Capitals (DC) while defending 245 runs. One of the biggest errors on DC's part was bowling Nitish's part-time spin for its full quota of four overs, during which he conceded 55 runs. But Axar and Kuldeep, two full-fledged spinners, only bowled two overs each, conceding 53 runs combined.

Speaking during ESPNCricinfo's TimeOut show, Finch said, "We have been sitting there scratching our heads, have not we? Your two Indian premier spin bowlers, Axar Patel, the skipper, and Kuldeep Yadav, they bowled four overs between them. A part-time offspinner in Nitish Rana has wheeled out four overs. To me, that makes no sense."

Finch said that Axar not trusting himself under pressure to defend against left-handers, despite being a two-time T20 World Cup winner, says a lot about his attitude.

"It is the responsibility of your captain, your senior player, your retained player, your best bowler, an Indian bowler, he is one of your core bowlers in the Indian cricket team. That is no small bit. He's a double World Cup winner. So the fact that he does not trust himself to execute under pressure and to defend himself against any left-handers. To me that says more about his attitude towards it than anything else," he added.

Coming to the match, DC won the toss and opted to field first. A 97-run opening stand between Abhishek and Travis Head (37 in 26 balls, with two fours and two sixes) started things for SRH. Abhishek batted the entire innings, ending with 135* in 68 balls, with 10 fours and 10 sixes, creating partnerships with skipper Ishan Kishan (25 in 13 balls, with two fours and a six) and Heinrich Klaasen (37* in 13 balls, with three fours and three sixes), taking SRH to 244/2 in 20 overs.

During the run-chase, after losing Pathum Nissanka early, KL Rahul (37 in 23 balls, with a four and three sixes) and Nitish Rana (57 in 30 balls, with seven fours and three sixes) put together a partnership of 86 runs. But after their dismissals, DC fell apart, with Eshan Malinga (4/32 in four overs), Sakib Hussain (1/29 in four overs) and Harsh Dubey (3/12 in two overs) reducing DC to 195/9.

SRH is in third place in the points table, with four wins and three losses, while DC is at fifth spot with three wins and three losses.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
I get that Axar wanted to try something different, but when you're defending 245, you need your best bowlers to step up. Rana is a batting all-rounder at best, not someone you give a full quota to against a rampaging Abhishek Sharma. Poor captaincy, simple as that.
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Ravi K
Look, hindsight is 20/20. Abhishek was batting on a different planet – maybe Axar thought Rana could get a wicket with his variations? But yeah, 55 runs in 4 overs is too expensive. Kuldeep should have bowled more, especially in the middle overs.
A
Ananya R
The bigger problem is that Axar doesn't seem to trust his own bowling against left-handers. As a captain, you have to lead by example. Abhishek Sharma is a dangerous player, but if you're scared to bowl to him, who will? Finch's criticism is valid, but I hope Axar learns from this.
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Rohit L
Abhishek's knock was pure class, but DC's bowling plan was all over the place. Harsh Dubey bowled just 2 overs and took 3 wickets – imagine what he could have done earlier. Axar and Kuldeep needed to share at least 6-7 overs between them. Finch is right, it makes no sense.

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