When Cricket Turns into Chess: RR’s Super Over Misstep
You know that moment in a thriller movie when the hero has the villain cornered, but chooses a weird plot twist... and boom—everything falls apart? That’s pretty much what happened with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their Super Over face-off against Delhi Capitals (DC).
I was sitting on my couch, chai in hand, thinking this match is headed straight to the classic “IPL Hall of Nerve-wracking Finishes.” But when RR sent in Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, leaving out Nitish Rana—who had just smashed a 51 off 28 in regular time—I literally blurted out, “Wait, what?”
And turns out, I wasn't the only one. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ian Bishop—two people who know a thing or two about cricket strategy—shared the same sentiment.
The Super Over Drama
So, Mitchell Starc tied the game for DC in a brilliant final over. Now, the Super Over—a micro-match where every ball is like defusing a bomb.
Here’s who RR chose:
- Hetmyer (not in form that night)
- Riyan Parag
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (only came in after Parag’s run-out)
RR managed just 11 runs. In reply, DC chased it down in just four balls.
Now, before we dive into the analysis, let me say this: in cricket, hindsight is always 20/20. But some choices really make you scratch your head.
Why Not Nitish Rana? He Was On Fire
Let’s be honest—Rana was timing the ball like he had a cheat code. A crisp 51 off 28, finding gaps, playing spin and pace equally well. And yet, when the pressure moment came, he was padded up on the sidelines. Why?
Even DC captain Axar Patel was puzzled. He expected Jaiswal and Parag. Seeing Hetmyer, he probably thought, “Thanks, guys.”
Both Pujara and Bishop agreed on one thing: Rana should’ve been in. Not necessarily to open, but to feature in the three.
🗣 "I would want Jaiswal to start because of the way he bats against Starc," Pujara explained, citing his past success across formats.
🗣 "I like Jaiswal at the top there, but I would not mind Rana’s silky skills," Bishop added. It’s not always about power. In crunch situations, touch and timing are just as valuable.
Was It About the Left-Right Combo? Maybe. But…
Teams love playing musical chairs with left-right combinations to mess with a bowler’s rhythm. I get it. It’s like throwing off your opponent’s WiFi signal.
But here’s the thing: strategy should never outweigh form and flow.
Rana was in the zone. Hetmyer, on the other hand, had been struggling to connect throughout the match. And in a Super Over, you don’t need 10 theories. You need one batter who’s seeing the ball like a beach ball.
Hetmyer as the Finisher? Sure, But Context Matters
RR defended the choice saying Hetmyer is their designated finisher. Rana himself backed the team:
🗣 "Had Hetmyer hit two sixes, this question wouldn’t be there," he said post-match.
Fair enough. But let’s not forget: cricket, like life, is about the present moment. What worked in the past may not work today. You don’t wear a raincoat because it rained last week.
What About the Bowling Call? Jofra Who?
Another twist? RR didn’t choose Jofra Archer, their most experienced death bowler, for the Super Over. Instead, they went with Sandeep Sharma.
Nitish Rana explained:
🗣 "Sandy has bowled such overs for us previously... He was the best option in that moment."
Again, fair. But when the other side has KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, wouldn’t you want someone with World Cup Super Over experience? Just saying.
Super Overs Are About Simplicity, Not Surprises
If there’s one thing IPL has taught us over the years, it’s that Super Overs reward clarity over creativity.
Remember when MI backed Bumrah time and again? Or when AB de Villiers once walked out despite not scoring well that day—because legends rise in chaos?
This match felt like RR wanted to out-strategize rather than out-execute.
Next time, RR might want to:
- Trust the in-form batter (aka Nitish Rana)
- Back match-ups, but not blindly
- Let gut-feel complement data, not replace it
Because cricket is part science, part art. And sometimes, the heart sees what the eye misses.
Did RR Overthink It?
Honestly, yeah. Cricket may be a game of numbers, but the best decisions often come from a feel for the moment. And if you're a fan, you felt that RR missed a trick by not playing Nitish Rana when it mattered most.
