Published: May 14, 2016, 11:42 AM (IST)
Edited: May 14, 2016, 11:42 AM (IST)
Dale Steyn has suggested that bowlers play a bigger role than batsmen in the T20 format ahead of Gujarat Lions’ Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 game against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday. “Obviously I’m biased, but I remain convinced that bowlers win far more games than batsmen. If a team is restricted to 150 on a flat pitch and the opposition openers make 70 each to win the game, they get the credit and the headlines. So that’s where Saturday’s game will be won and lost, too,” the South African pacer added. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Lions, IPL 2016, Match 44 at Bengaluru
According to Times of India, Steyn went on to say that good spells from the bowlers will more influence on the result of the game than the big overs from the power hitters. “Naturally there is the chance that Kohli, de Villiers or Gayle or Watson, for that matter -will play a match-winning innings but, subtly, I think it will be the `quiet’ overs which make the difference rather than the `noisy’ ones,” Steyn said.
With three more matches to go for Lions in the group stage, a win will be enough to seal a spot for them in the final four. However, Steyn believes Lions are way more capable than winning just one off the three matches they would play before the Playoffs.
“Bangalore have four matches left and need to win them all to make the playoffs. I get a little nervous doing the math, but I hear people saying we only need to win one of our last three games. I don’t like that talk. Let’s win them all to make sure! It hasn’t been a great tournament for Bangalore but they remain one of the most difficult and dangerous teams here, capable of winning on any given day against any other team,” the Gujarat Lions’ fast bowler said.
