KKR were at the receiving end of the Sachin-Sanath magic on Monday. Don't be surprised if the struggling IPL team are in the same situation in their return match tomorrow
KKR were at the receiving end of the Sachin-Sanath magic on Monday.u00a0 Don't be surprised if the struggling IPL team are in the same situation in their return match tomorrow
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Just two nights later a couple of ageless cricketers showed they have not been wearied by battle as Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya pummelled the Kolkata bowling in an adventurous century opening stand.
Thanks to an incredible flurry of boundaries Sachin and Sanath pulverised Kolkata's fast bowlers, a ploy that quickly ensured Mumbai the two points in a cricketing format where the game can get out of hand quicker than a rowdy peace protest.
Class
There's no doubting Tendulkar is the class of this duo as he's been at or near the top of the world batting hierarchy for nigh on two decades. However, there can be no argument about Jayasuriya's destructive powers, as he's been successfully pounding new ball bowling for at least thirteen years. Putting the two sizzling S's together to open in the T20 format was a masterstroke.u00a0
If Tendulkar is allowed to progress at a pace that best suits him on the day he's still one of the most dangerous batsmen in the game. However, if he's expected to make a decent score and dominate right from the start of every innings it's too much to ask even of the little master.
This is where Jayasuriya is the ideal partner for Tendulkar. He's naturally a fast starter and that means Tendulkar can bide his time or if he's seeing them well as he was against Kolkata then the opposition is in trouble from the outset. It's a devastating combination.
Conversely Tendulkar's presence helps Jayasuriya. The Matara Mauler is a fidgety soul, a man of many superstitions but knowing he has a classy player at the other end allows him to be expansive, whilst safe in the knowledge that if it doesn't come off, his illustrious partner can quickly make amends.
Runs are crucial to an improved Mumbai showing in this season's IPL.
Their main bowlers are renowned wicket-takers and if they are allowed to attack with confidence, knowing the runs are either in the bank or likely to arrive soon via a secure mode, then it greatly improves the team's chances of victory.u00a0
Mumbai has a start-studded line-up and with their hefty pay-roll a lot is expected. However, the two most important S's are Sachin and Sanath; if they continue to defy the aging process then an IPL trophy is within Mumbai's reach.
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