After Delhi Capitals’ horrifying collapse, South African legend Dale Steyn said modern batters are not preparing much for hard lengths, a flaw exposed by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the IPL as well.
However, Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar dismantled the Delhi Capitals’ batting line-up by taking six wickets in the first four overs, helping the RCB bundle DC out for a mere 75 in 16.3 overs as well. Steyn also said that batters are not scared anymore, but they just do not practice enough for the lengths like Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar, Kagiso Rabada and Jofra Archer as well.
“Watching Buvi, Hazelwood, throw KG and Archer in there too, there’s a genuine fear from batters not because they scared, but they know exactly where these greats are going to bowl but don’t practice enough in that area to have answers,” (sic) Steyn wrote on X.
“The fear is technical skill, too deep into the tournament to change now, watch these bowlers continue to dominate. Its called a HARD length for a reason…” (sic) Steyn again added.
Meanwhile, former South African batter Herschelle Gibbs also gave the batting perspective to Dale Steyn’s observations, stating that batters do not charge against bowlers down the pitch enough against these bowlers to disturb their lengths as well.
“No batter keen to run at them to get them off their lengths,” Gibbs replied.
Delhi Capitals, who had slipped to 8 for six at one stage, eventually reached 13 for six after six overs to record the lowest-ever powerplay score in the IPL as well. In only their previous outing, Delhi Capitals had smashed 264/2 against Punjab Kings but could not defend as well.
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