DCL Plate Semifinal Preview: Times Internet vs 22 Yards

22 Yards played by far their best match of the tournament against Destructors in the PLATE quarterfinal. A team that had up until then struggled with both bat and ball, put up one of the most outstanding team efforts of the tournament. If they can play that kind of a match again against a strong Times Internet side, this will be a blockbuster!

22 YARDS

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Lost to Mac’s CC by 15 runs

Match 2: Lost to Amigos by 67 runs

Match 3: Lost to Delhi Blasters by 3 wickets

Match 4: Lost to Stoners by 86 runs

Match 5: Beat Destructors by 25 runs

OVERVIEW

If their performance against Destructors is a measure of how good a team 22 Yards really is, then one can confidently say that they did not play to even 50% potential in the matches before that. Against Destructors, opener Aman set up the match with 62, Sachin made a useful contribution in the middle order, and Kshitij produced a late-innings burst. The bowlers followed it up with excellent discipline. It was a real team effort. If 22 Yards can play to that level again, Times Internet will have their hands full.

The problems came up in the matches before that. Too many bowlers leaked too many runs, and too many batsmen were out of form. On a true batting wicket (rain permitting), Times Internet should look to take the attack to the bowlers and disturb their rhythm. It is a big ground, however, and that gives the 22 Yards spinners a better chance to control the game. Left arm spinners Sachin and Anadi, and opener Aman seem to be the players to watch out for.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the complete 22 Yards PerformanceIndicator – our unique statistical breakdown of the team’s batting and bowling performances.

TIMES INTERNET

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Lost to Stoners by 49 runs

Match 2: Beat Tornadoes by 4 wickets

Match 3: Beat Yes Bank by 8 wickets

Match 4: Lost to Supertron by 63 runs

Match 5: Beat Yes Bank by 9 wickets

OVERVIEW

Times Internet only confirmed their bowling merit by restricting Yes Bank to 69 all out in the PLATE quarterfinal. It was an equal contribution of pace and spin from one of the most settled and confident bowling sides of the tournament. The trouble for their opposition is that the Times Internet batsmen have also looked really confident and solid. They have 3 successful run chases under their belt (but also 2 sensational batting collapses- against Stoners and Supertron).

22 Yards should take note of the 2 batting collapses. They have the spinners to trigger a panic attack, and this is not a small ground. It is another matter that 22 Yards will have to guard against a collapse of their own. On the whole, after a poor first match, Times Internet have mostly played excellent all-round cricket, and 22 Yards will have to come in really sharp.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the Times Internet PerformanceIndicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.

Times Internet has chased in every game so far. If 22 Yards win the toss, they might want to put their opposition in and take them out of their comfort zone. Rain in the evening adds another variable. Batting first may not be very easy. We anticipate a low-scoring thriller – let’s see what we get!