Extras overshadow DD stars

Ravi Shastri

It's trivial but Delhi Daredevils ought to look at it carefully. They were simply blown away in front of the home crowd by Mumbai Indians the other night. It was a game in which they conceded 17 extras - the most in the tournament so far.

They are also the only team to have conceded double-digit runs as extras in another game. A team with serious ambition of crossing the line in the trophy stakes this year, the Daredevils can't allow it to become a norm.

Against Mumbai, there were as many as 11 wides and two no- balls. Most of these wides slipped past the radar of wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik and crossed the ropes behind. Okay, the Mumbai Indians made a record total, so these transgressions can be explained.

But against the Kings XI Punjab, the Daredevils again gave away 13 runs in extras, including five wides. Am I making too much out of nothing? I don't think so. Such indiscipline on most occasions suggests a lackadaisical approach on the field.

For example, the Daredevils twice missed run-out opportunities against Sanath Jayasuriya. It allowed Mumbai Indians the platform. There were a couple of stunners too, none better than substitute Yogesh Nagar's overhead snatch against a Jayasuriya mis-hit. Still, the Daredevils were mostly inconsistent on the field.

I make this point because the Daredevils' loss always takes cricket experts by surprise. They are perhaps one of the most balanced outfits in the IPL. Dazzling batsman, impressive fast bowlers, quality spinners and all-rounders - you name it and they have them.

It is these little nuances they need to come to grips with. Talking of extras, the Rajasthan Royals are second in the dubious list with 16 extras against Mumbai, again. So, Tendulkar's team is also benefitting from the largesse of the rivals besides their own brilliance!

Maybe, it's their batting might, which is forcing the rivals to lose their poise. With the kind of score the Royals made on Thursday night, it's a slip they can't afford.

The Mumbai Indians, currently on a roll like nobody else, not surprisingly are a shining example. They haven't bowled a no-ball so far in their first two games.

Even when Yusuf Pathan was blazing away, they conceded a mere five extras in a total of 208 runs. It shows the details to which this team has planned this year.

But then, their resolve can be understood. It was apparent the way they bid for Kieron Pollard, pulling all stops till they got their man. They look the team to beat this season.

TCM