Ajinkya Rahane, a calm and experienced Indian batter, recently spoke about how important it is to take wickets in the middle overs of a cricket match. He explained that these wickets can completely change the game’s momentum, putting pressure on the batting team and boosting the confidence of the bowlers.
Why Middle-Overs Matter
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), the middle overs usually run from the 11th to the 40th over. In T20 matches, this is the phase between the powerplay and the death overs. This is a crucial part of the game because teams try to build their innings here before going for big hits in the final overs.
If a bowling team can take wickets during this phase, it can disrupt the batting side’s plans. New batters take time to settle, which slows down the scoring. This pressure often leads to more wickets, making it harder for the opposition to put up a big total.
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Rahane’s Take on the Momentum Shift
Rahane, who has played key roles in many Indian victories, compared middle-over wickets to a double bonus. Not only do they stop the batting side from scoring freely, but they also give the bowling team confidence. He shared an example from a recent match where India’s bowlers took crucial wickets in the middle overs to take control of the game.
“When you take two or three wickets in the middle overs, the game changes completely. The batting team starts feeling the pressure, and even their best batters can make mistakes,” Rahane explained.
He also mentioned that this tactic requires smart bowling. “It’s not about randomly bowling and hoping for wickets. You have to plan well, mix up your pace, and hit the right lengths to trouble the batters,” he added.
How Indian Bowlers Have Used This Strategy
India’s bowlers have been very successful in the middle overs in recent years. Spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal, along with fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, have consistently picked up wickets during this phase.
For example, in a match against Australia in 2021, Jadeja and Chahal took important wickets in the middle overs. This put Australia under pressure, and India won the match comfortably. Rahane credited India’s bowlers for their strong performance.
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The Role of Fielding and Captaincy
Rahane also pointed out that good fielding and smart captaincy help bowlers perform better. Saving runs, taking sharp catches, and setting the right field placements can put even more pressure on the batting team.
“A good fielding team can save 10-15 runs in an innings, which can make a big difference in close matches. When the captain sets attacking fields, it adds to the pressure on the batters,” he said.
The Mental Game
Cricket is not just about skills—it’s also about the mental battle. Rahane explained that breaking a batter’s rhythm is just as important as taking their wicket.
“When a batter is playing well, stopping them becomes difficult. But if you can dismiss them at the right time, their team starts to struggle. This mental battle is key to winning games,” he said.
Conclusion
Ajinkya Rahane’s thoughts on middle-over wickets show how important strategy is in cricket. Picking up wickets in this phase not only reduces the opposition’s total but also gives the bowling team a big advantage.
As Rahane summed it up perfectly, “Middle-over wickets are the backbone of a strong bowling performance. They can decide whether a team has a decent score or a winning one.”
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With this approach, India’s bowling attack will continue to be a major force in all formats of the game.
