Marco Jansen | Game Models | Tinkerman | Bumrah | Scouting
Marco Jansen
A friend said to me that Marco Jansen is either a “4/20 Guy or 0/50.” Now there’s a reason for that. When he bowls poorly, Jansen bowls two lengths. He either bowls full with width or he bowls too short with width. These lines and lengths allow the opposition batsman to hit boundaries without taking risks. That’s exactly what happened against Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the first over. When Marco Jansen goes for 15 in the First Over, you have to put him in the freezer. Aiden Markram did that by bringing on Kagiso Rabada in the 3rd Over, but he fluffed the math after that. It is easy to blame the captain in these situations, but in reality the responsibility lies with the Head Coach.
Game Models
The Best Captains and Teams have Multiple Pre-Determined Game Models Adjusted for Special Situations and the Opposition. While Aiden Markram was Good, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid were better. In particular, India did a great job establishing Axar Patel as an Impromptu Middle Order Batsman to protect Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. Not only did Patel protect Dube and Pandya he played a brilliant innings against Pakistan and in the Final against South Africa.
Tinkerman
Throughout his tenure with Team India, I have felt that Rahul Dravid has been somewhat of a Tinkerman. He’s made changes when changes weren’t required. At times it’s hurt India in Big Tournaments. That didn’t happen in this World Cup. India only played 12 Players with Mohammad Siraj caddying for Kuldeep Yadav in Special Situations. Both Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma did a brilliant job coalescing Structure with Dynamism.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is one of the Greatest Bowlers of All Time. The Data is Brilliant, but to understand Bumrah’s Impact and Greatness you really have to witness it. The Opposition to their detriment in my opinion not only avoid the Bumrah Overs, they subtract them. But what sets apart Bumrah from his peers, is that his greatness isn’t restricted to T20 Cricket. He was brilliant in the Test Series against England at Home and in my opinion he’s one of the 10 Best Bowlers of All Time.
Scouting Heinrich Klaasen
When I was working in Franchise Cricket, I spent a lot of time evaluating talent in South Africa. Because of the Political Realities of South Africa, often the most talented South Africans aren’t playing First Class Cricket. That’s where I spotted Heinrich Klaasen. At the time Klaasen was playing for Northerns predominantly as a Wicketkeeper and Batting in the Lower Middle Order. While he wasn’t consistent, he had immense power and no fear. He eventually debuted for South Africa and in only his second match, he scored 69 off 30 against India at Centurion. He specifically targeted Yuzvendra Chahal who in those early days felt like Ajantha Mendis in his Prime. Chahal went for 64 Runs in 4 Overs. Oddly enough it took years for Klaasen to establish himself in Franchise Cricket.
One More Thing
It’s Fun to Watch Good People Have Success. Apart from Being Great Cricketers, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid, and Ravindra Jadeja seem to be Good People. When India Won the World Cup in 2011, Kohli’s Interview after the game recognized the greatness and importance of Sachin Tendulkar Winning a World Cup. 13 Years Later, Kohli went out of his way to recognize another Indian Legend when he went out of his way to share the T20 World Cup Trophy with Rahul Dravid. Great Moment!!!