Athleticism makes all the difference in IPL

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The logjam in the points table has hardly provided teams any breathing space.

There is nothing much to choose in terms of strength with bat and ball and the differential factor is increasingly the effort on field.

The difference between Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings on Friday was definitely fielding.

“Fielding has cost us at least three games this year. We dropped Pietersen on six and he went and scored a hundred.

If we had fielded well, Chennai would have been three of four down with 40 runs. It cost us 30-40 runs and we would have been chasing 130 instead of 161,” said Chargers coach Darren Lehman.

The hectic schedule and generally humid weather have also played its part. Both Lehman and Suresh Raina however did not want to take cover in that fact.

“We are professionals and we have to accept the schedule. No excuses. It is hard to maintain fitness in T20.

You have to be hydrated all the time and maintain intensity and a positive body language,” said Raina.

It was a key contest for Chennai and it was a tale of two catches that turned the game on its head. “If we had caught Bravo in the last over things could have been different,” said Lehman.

At the other end of the axis, Chennai prospered with Raina taking a spectacular return catch to dismiss Kumar Sangakkara. “I just saw the ball and went for it, and fortunately held onto it.

It was a crucial wicket because he is a great batsman and can take the game away from you,” explained Raina.

Chargers could have been in a completely different situation in the league had the fielding unit pulled their socks in time.

“We are working hard on our fielding and have to keep doing the same. It’s a young squad and we are learning.

We are certainly disappointed with our fielding, and some of the seniors are also not fielding well.

Thankfully, the management has backed us and they understand that there is no lack in effort,” added Lehman.

It should come as no surprise the teams sitting at the top have been aided by sterling efforts in the field. Raina is happy for the fact that Chennai has lifted that facet of the game.

“We have the best fielding unit in the tournament. There are areas where we need to improve like direct hits. There is always some scope of improvement,” concluded Raina.

The format necessarily requires big hitters and specialists with the ball but the clinching factor could well be the odd run saved or the half chance converted.