Powerplay plans working well

Kings XI Punjab swing bowler Sandeep Sharma feels that the plans he and coach Virender Sehwag have come up with for the powerplay are working well so far in IPL 10.
The Kings XI are one of only two teams, the other being the Sunrisers Hyderabad, to avoid defeat in the opening exchanges of the IPL and haven’t allowed their opponents to get off to flying starts.
Sandeep is unperturbed about being hit to the boundary in the death overs, something which bowlers simply have to come to terms with in the IPL with pitches geared towards entertainment.
The seamer told iplt20.com: “I am backing my strength which is to swing the ball.
“I have discussed and worked with Virender Sehwag regarding field placements. He has helped me and talked to me about what the placements should be with the new ball, since only two fielders are allowed outside the circle, and how to use them effectively. I am doing that, and so far it has been working well.
“I had spoken about my plans in the team meeting as well as with Viru paaji. The thing is most batsmen struggle against swing; so he told me to back my strength which is swinging the ball.”
Sandeep reveals the team bowled to a plan for RCB’s opener Shane Watson in their recent victory over the star-studded tournament favourites and revealed that he had the full backing of team management.
He went on: “I was to bowl my heart out and not think about getting hit.
“Also, I was told never to think about losing my place in the side or being asked to sit out [if I went for runs]. Viru paaji backs [his players] a lot.
“We had our plans. Watson doesn’t play too well against left-arm spinners; so [Glenn] Maxwell thought that we could give the first over to Axar and it was good that he got us the wicket.”
Sandeep conceded just 7 runs in his first three overs before his final over went for 19 with AB de Villiers plundering 18 of those runs but the man twice capped for India at T20I level isn’t too fazed by that.
He would add: “I am not too worried about the death overs; even today the way I bowled, I was executing what I was thinking and planning.
“AB de Villiers is one of the best batsmen in the world and he even hit some of my good balls. It’s okay. I am executing what I am thinking about. On a different day, against a different batsman, things might be different.
“We had made our plans for him. We tried to execute our plans, but he scored against us. He is one of my favourite batsmen, so I am happy for him also.”
The Kings XI are seen as being light on bowlers by critics with Black Caps seamer Matt Henry the only frontline bowler among the overseas players and Ishant Sharma the only Indian player to have established himself on the international stage so the form and fitness of Sandeep is critical to their hopes of a playoff berth.
Latest
-
News
Earning his keep – a closer look at Ben Foakes’ impressive England return
The Surrey player is considered one of the best pure glovemen in the world.
-
News
India v England, Day 3: Ravichandran Ashwin for the win
The tourists are on the edge in Chennai.
-
News
England batsmen urged to stay positive as India close in on second Test win
Spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel says England should ‘express themselves’ when they resume on 53 for three.
-
News
Heavy defeat on the cards for England after Ravichandran Ashwin ton
The tourists require a world record 482.
-
News
India increase lead over England to more than 400 runs on day three in Chennai
The tourists face an uphill battle to preserve their lead in the series.
-
News
India lead grows but Ben Foakes helps England spinners hit back
The hosts were 351 ahead at lunch on day three in Chennai.
-
News
Graham Thorpe admits England need something special to avoid second Test defeat
Joe Root’s tourists are on the back foot in Chennai.
-
News
England facing second Test defeat as India dominate in Chennai
After dismissing the hosts for 329 in the first hour Joe Root’s side were taken down for just 134.
-
News
England avoid follow on mark but face uphill battle against India in Chennai
India rolled the tourists for just 134 in under less 60 overs.