The scheduling of the IPL matches is a logistical nightmare. This nightmare has been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic. After the first season was unceremoniously called off due to cases emerging in the bubble, BCCI had to slog it off to schedule the second half of the tournament. Hectic back and forth had to be undertaken between all stakeholders to finalize this UAE leg of the season.
In such trying times, the match overshooting even by a few minutes causes extraneous strain on broadcasters and organizers. Therefore, it is imperative that teams stay strictly within the provided time period for their 20 overs. Under the BCCI rules, a team that overshoots their time to bowl the 20 overs will have to face consequences. The captain of the bowling team is fined for a slow over-rate. On repeated offenses, the fine amount substantially increases, and post the second time, the captain shall be handed a one-match suspension.
Sanju Samson was at the receiving end of this stringent rule. He was extremely thin rope and was staring at a one-match suspension. He was initially fined for their slow over-rate against Punjab in which he had to pay INR 12 lakhs. In their second outing in the UAE against Delhi Capitals, he had the same issue and was fined INR 24 lakhs.
The official rules on minimum over rate requirements states: “The third and each subsequent offense in a Season as Captain of the bowling team, the Captain will be fined INR 30 lakhs and banned from playing in the Team’s next League Match.” If Samson had repeated this against SRH, he may have faced a one-match ban with a hefty fine.
This same incident happened with none other than the legendary MS Dhoni. In the first leg of IPL 2021, Dhoni too was treading dangerously close to being suspended for one match. He was docked INR 12 lakhs for having a slow over-rate. This one fine was a warning enough for one of the sharpest cricketing minds around. In the subsequent game, Dhoni ensured that he commanded his resources optimally and is not fined twice for the same offense twice.
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This is the starkest distinction between a maturing youngster like Samson and an experienced veteran like Dhoni. He was mindful of his fault in the first game and did not repeat it in the second one. However, Samson could not make that subtle change to his plans. To be fair, one needs to appreciate the presence of Sir Jadeja in Dhoni’s armory. He bowls at a ferocious pace and generally completes his over in less than a min and a half. He is every captain’s delight to control the slow-over rate.
It is to be seen how Samson analyses his fault in these games and makes the requisite changes. It is pertinent to bring on your spinners in the middle overs to give a push to the over rate. Samson’s over-reliance on the left-arm spinners makes it difficult to turnovers quickly.
