A perfect chase….

Indian fans are relieved that the team has won again, but the cricket connoisseurs are debating if the chase was late or delayed. Gambhir has commented that it was late. And as always, the cricket media conveniently ignores an in-depth analysis since they have no clue, its easier to create sensationalism about dropping legends.

So let’s look at the game 2 quick wickets gone and 178/4, 15 overs -90+ runs. What’s a plan when you go out to bat? Before we get into it, let’s look at the best finishers of world cricket. Michael Bevan, Mike Hussey, can probably add Lance Kleusner from SA as well to this list. Ofcourse Bevan is a legend and in his own words referring to being the best finisher…

“I think for that you got to know when to take the risk and when to minimize it. You must have the ability to rotate the strike and play the shots as well. You’ve got to know how to absorb pressure in tight situations.”

Now let’s get back to the match situation. Relatively simple, most folks would have thought lets get to 200 by 40overs. Not a finisher, he thinks 2 wickets have gone, lets not lose a wicket in next 5 at any cost. And there are two reasons for that – 1. Momentum, one more wicket and there would have been lot of momentum for the Aussies 2. There was not many other men who could hit big shots after Dhoni and Raina. So Target 1 was don’t lose a wicket for 5 overs. Done. Now target is 80 in 10 overs.

For a finisher he’s thinking couple of 2′s per over and 1 good over in the chase. Fans are screaming for big shots and panicking. The risk is too high – a wicket will change things dramatically. In fact, Dhoni walked upto Raina and apparently told him that if RR gets to 9 is fine (I believe this was a comment by Gambhir). After some good batting and maintaining 8 an over with not much risk, 4 overs 32 runs to get is target.

Now the finishers think, 1 good over and we are home. Unfortunately, at precisely this moment Raina got out. Now Dhoni knows he can’t get out and Jadeja can’t hit the ball out of the park. So he say’s lets look at last two overs. Then Jadeja get’s out. Last over – 13 to get. Now its an all or nothing go for it.

If India had lost, Dhoni would have been blasted by everyone from his teammates to all the stalwarts. But in my opinion you need to get close to the target before even attempting it. It’s all about minimizing risk as Bevan put it.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the game but more importantly proved his brilliance in planning out the chase and controlling it masterfully. He is not the best finisher in the game ever yet, but would have definitely made Bevan proud with this chase.