Centurion, April 29 (Inditop) Shane Warne’s reputation of a master tactician got enhanced as his clever shuffling of batsmen and bowlers handed Rajasthan Royals a motivating win against Delhi Daredevils.
Warne reshuffled the batting that did not fire in previous run-chases and faltered while chasing modest 140-run scores.
There was too much dependence on big-hitting Yusuf Pathan, who opened the batting in a few matches.
Warne pushed Yusuf Pathan and Dmitri Mascarenhas down the order so that they can go for an all-out attack in the last five overs.
The plan worked as Yusuf smashed an unbeaten 62 and Graeme Smith (44 not out) anchored the innings to help Royals recover from a mini-collapse to chase down the Daredevils’ total of 143.
“Yusuf Pathan and Dimitri Mascarenhas make such great strikers of the ball down the order, it was important that we just had a man at the top,” Warne said.
“We wanted someone at the top to take responsibility and I thought Graeme Smith was outstanding. He used his experience brilliantly at the top and I thought Yusuf was fantastic,” Warne said.
Warne, who is a smart thinker of the game, is relieved that the batting order has finally clicked.
He feels the victory could propel the defending champions onto a fine run of form.
“We made 140-odd in the last four matches and we thought we would be fourth time unlucky but then Smith and Yusuf were sensational.”
“It was a good stepping stone. If we keep performing the same way, we can be a force in the competition,” Warne said.
The Australian spin magician said his plans against Delhi Daredevils worked perfectly.
“It’s not easy to chase here but our plan was always to bowl first and then make up with the batting in the last few overs.”
Warne also experimented with the bowlers, using them in short spells which never allowed a strong batting side like Daredevils to settle. Munaf was impressive as he took two wickets giving only 14 runs.
“The bowling is not bad. We were a couple of games down and I had a chat with Munaf Patel and he’s taking the leading role with the bowlers,” Warne said.
“If we keep bowling and fielding like we did, and with the problem at the top of the order sorted out, we could be a force in this competition,” he said.
“He’s helping Kamran Khan and, if they could take one or two wickets more at the start, it would be terrific for us,” he said.
The victory helped the Rajasthan Royals leap into the top-four in the standings.
rounak