The minefield at Delhi

With the third season of IPL just around the corner, our expert dissects the home ground of the Delhi Daredevils.

Ha ha! What is this? Looks like a political commentary has found its way into this site. Not to worry. I will leave the happenings at Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha to the Sardesais, Roys and Dutts. Instead I will be talking about the other minefield at Delhi, Ferozeshah Kotla. It is with lot of trepidation that teams will be walking into the Delhi cricket ground, be they the visiting teams or home team, this season.

Between IPL-1 and CL-09, the ground at Delhi underwent a transformation that intrigued many. The change in season could not have been the only reason. It could very well have been re-laying schemes gone awry.

During IPL-1 in 2008 Delhi was a typical Indian ground. 5 of the 6 matches had good totals in both innings. The scoring rates were quite high and the bowling strike rates reasonably good. It changed 180 degrees in 2009 during CL-09. Not one match had good totals in both innings. 5 of the 8 totals were low and defended. The scoring rates took a dive.

Let us look at the summary of the two seasons.

IPL-1: 2008 (6 matches)

High totals chased:         2 (187/5 & 188/6, 176/8 & 179/5)
High totals and narrow win:      2 (191/5 & 181/5, 194/4 & 182/9)
Low total chased easily:    1 (129/8 & 132/1)
Rain affected match (11 ov):    1 (118/4 & 94/3).

CL-09: 2009 (8 matches)

Low totals defended:     4 (130/2 & 95/8, 118/9 & 103/4, 119/7 & 119/4, 114/6 & 84/10)
Low total chased:        1 (98/8 & 100/3)
Medium total defended:    1 (144/6 & 91/9)
High totals defended:        2 (170/5 & 120/7, 169/7 & 90/9).

The results are here to see. Not one high total chased. No second innings score exceeding 120. Only one team batting second winning a match.

Let us see some more corroborating numbers.

There is a 35% fall in match RpOs and a whopping 44% in the second innings. The first innings bowling strike rates have been approximately same although there is 20% higher frequency of wicket-taking in the second innings. The numbers are quite damning.

What do we expect now? The drier weather should provide a pitch nearer to IPL-1. However the April sun during the second half of IPL might create cracks and aid the spinners. Not to forget the Sri Lankan ODI fiasco in mid-winter. Anyhow we are in for a jolly time. I will be following the Delhi results far more closely than the other centres.

The irony is that the Delhi team has probably the best top-5 in IPL-3. Is there a better lineup than Sehwag, Gambhir, Dilshan, de Villiers and Karthik?