Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar pulled off an interesting fielding strategy against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran MS Dhoni, placing a short leg for the former Indian skipper. This move, rarely seen in T20 cricket, was an aggressive approach aimed at putting pressure on Dhoni early in his innings.
A rare sight in T20 cricket
Short leg, a fielding position traditionally used in Test cricket to counter spin and short-pitched bowling, is not commonly deployed in T20 matches. However, Patidar’s move suggested RCB was keen on unsettling Dhoni, who walked in to bat with CSK struggling at 101-7 after 16 overs. By keeping a close-in fielder, RCB looked to exploit any misjudgment or mistimed shot from the experienced finisher.
A deja vu moment from 2017
This field setting immediately reminded fans of a similar tactic used by then-Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Gautam Gambhir against Dhoni in 2017. Back then, Gambhir placed a short leg to apply pressure on the CSK captain, a move that eventually helped KKR win the game. That decision was widely praised as a masterstroke in captaincy, and Patidar seemingly took inspiration from it in an attempt to curb Dhoni’s influence in the death overs.
Did the tactic work?
While the field placement created an unusual scene, it remains to be seen whether it had an impact on Dhoni’s approach. CSK fans, who have often seen Dhoni navigate such challenges with ease, would have been eager to see how he responded to this surprise move by RCB’s young skipper.
Patidar’s tactical awareness and willingness to experiment highlight a growing trend of innovative captaincy in the IPL. Whether it worked or not, it certainly made for an intriguing moment in the match.
