Asian batters often attract the sardonic quip of being flat track bullies. Willow-wielders in Sher-e-Punjab T20 League are never beating the allegations, for the tournament opener saw an aggregate of 520 runs with Abhishek Sharma and Sahaj Dhawan blasting a century partnership in 31 balls. Right in the firing line, Nipun Pandita gave away 48 in two overs.
As commentator Harsha Bhogle remarked during one of India’s many prodigious accruals in the whites on home turf, nobody couriers you runs in the subcontinent and you still need to go out and do the needful, credit is due to the likes of Naman Dhir and Prabhsimran Singh for maximizing the optimal conditions. In an event where the bat is clearly dominating the ball, Bathinda Royals have managed to keep a tight lid on the pinch-hitters.
Dhir’s rare cheap dismissal was the perfect microcosm of their lethal operation. Having creamed his way to 252 runs in his first three innings, the dangerman nicked Ashwani Kumar to slip. He was lured into an ambitious drive early on, with the left-armer’s angle from over the wicket linking up with his open-chested stance to concoct a recipe for disaster. It takes a while for the blood circulation to improve inside the body and aid the feet movement after the guard is marked in the middle, but Bathinda Royals seized upon the moment when Dhir was at his most vulnerable. As a direct consequence, Amritsar Soormas could only post 105-7 in 11 overs during the rain-afflicted game before Uday Saharan’s 16-ball half-century killed the chase.
A lot of captains may have opted against stationing a catcher upfront for a batter on song, but the youngster at the helm of India U19’s dash to the World Cup final in 2024 isn’t a shrinking violet. Be it applauding the agility of sweeper cover or constantly communicating with the bowler about the field placement for the next delivery, he brings an infectious energy to the park that Bathinda Royals feed off. “The skipper sets the tone. His own attitude is a key aspect. I’m a competitive guy so I try and inculcate a fighting spirit within the group,” Uday said.
That bouncebackability was evident in Ashish Lowrance’s riposte to Rahul Kumar, who’d smashed the pacer around for three sixes and a boundary. Holding his nerve under pressure, Ashish executed a tramline yorker to draw a miscued chip to deep point. It was among the several proofs that the fixture rustled up of Bathinda Royals bowling to their field. Shahbaz Sandhu attacked the stumps in accordance with the four men patrolling the leg-side fence. Mid-wicket cut a strong heave to minimize the damage as just nine runs came off the over despite a couple of no-balls and a wide.
“The bowlers continue to follow the process. I’m listening to them, they’re listening to me. The combination is working beautifully, as evidenced by our smart bowling performances at a venue known for its tall totals,” Uday adds.
While the competition has been synonymous with leather hunts, especially when the pitch at the extreme left of the square is used, Bathinda Royals are flipping the script and how. Ashwani, who recorded the best figures by an Indian bowler on IPL debut, conjured up a hat-trick against Jalandhar Warriors, including the prized scalp of Prabhsimran at the death. The inability to close out the innings nearly spelt their doom as Uday anchored the pursuit, however his exit in the dying throes of the thriller saved the table-toppers. “Keeping gun batters quiet is a challenge that motivates me to improve,” Ashwani reflects.
Though none have it harder than off-spinners, a breed that finds itself on the verge of extinction in the shortest format. Yet Gaurav Chaudhary is leading the wicket charts in Sher-e-Punjab, having returned 3/33 and 2/31 opposite Mohali Kings and Ludhiana Lions respectively. Inward drift to southpaws is a salient feature of his bowling in the PowerPlay, where quick Sumit Sharma has proved to be his partner-in-crime after overcoming issues pertaining to accuracy and overstepping in his domestic journey. With seven wickets to his name, Sumit is a prime candidate for the Purple Cap.
He delivered an excellent leg-cutter to remove Deepin Chitkara prior to inflicting a run-out at the non-striker’s end. As he whipped the bails off, there was an iota of disappointment in his eyes for he knew the set batter was on the other side. He made his frustration clear, questioning long-on about the destination of his throw. It is this attention to detail that sets Bathinda Royals apart from the remaining franchises in Sher-e-Punjab since the batter-friendly conditions place an emphasis on fielding. Quizzed about Harnoor Singh Pannu’s ground coverage that resulted in a splendid catch, Uday credited the support staff for ensuring the boys are battle-ready.
“We’re grinding behind the scenes,” Uday gives a peek into the preparation. “The margins are small in T20 cricket, so fielding obviously becomes an integral factor. Every run saved is a run scored and catches win matches. I am really impressed with the energy on the field. Everyone is enjoying themselves out there. As a unit we’ve focused on cultivating a healthy environment.”
Although Uday is far from a spring chicken, some of his teammates are, receiving their maiden exposure to franchise cricket and its various elements – night games, video analysis, extra pressure owing to live coverage and crowds. As an accomplished member of Bathinda Royals, what is the line of messaging from Uday to the budding talent? “I’ve noticed that there has been a conscious effort to adapt from the people coming through the ranks. That makes my job easier. The atmosphere is, of course, cut-throat in professional cricket so our primary objective is to ensure each member of the team is in a good headspace,” the talisman answered.
“I would also like to thank the director and think-tank of Bathinda Royals for assembling such a well-rounded attack at the auctions. We’re reaping the rewards of their brilliant selection strategy.”
