IPL 2018: The Elite Club of 30+

May 4 (CRICKETNMORE) - T20 cricket is the shortest and the youngest format of the game and the fast-paced nature of proceedings makes it more suitable for young cricketers who can adjust their technique according to the game. Both batsman and bowlers use an unorthodox technique to adjust their game to T20 needs. 

Senior players who are in the middle or last phase of their career often find it difficult to adjust to the pace and energy associated with the 20-over format.

In the past great players like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Dale Steyn etc who were the record holders in Test and ODI formats failed to make an impact in T20 cricket. There was nothing wrong with their approach but T20 requires more energy, stamina and also an unorthodox technique which these players (with growing age) failed to adapt. T20 game was introduced in early 90’s, we never know how many records Tendulkar, Ponting, Gangly would have made. 

Stephen Fleming, current coach of Chennai Super Kings in Indian Premier League 2018 recently in an interview said that age isn't really a barrier and the older guys in his ranks have shown that they still have a lot to offer. 

In the IPL 11, so far Fleming words have been proved to be right. Cricketers in their 30s have been very successful in competing with the young guns and at times outshine them. MS Dhoni has been seen in his old form where he is winning matches for his team. Playing down the order, he smashed a match-winning 79 not out against Kings XI Punjab, a 22-ball 51 in their last outing versus Delhi Daredevils.

Dwayne Bravo blitz blows away Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2018 opening match. He smashed 30-ball 68. The West Indian all-rounder is also contributing with the balls and its tough for batsmen to pick his slower ones in slog overs.

Ambati Rayudu is in prime form and topping the list of most runs in IPL so far. He has scored 391 runs so far and provided a good start to CSK on many occasion. Even when sent in the middle order he proved to be equally successful.

Watson has given CSK brisk starts while opening the batting, his 106 against Rajasthan Royals being the standout performance. He scored 317 runs in 9 matches so far. AB DeVilliers have already smashed 280 runs in this season in just 6 matches.

Chris Gayle, The king of T20 cricket has played two match-winning knocks for Punjab so far in this season.

What’s more interesting that the top 5 players with most sixes in season 11 so far are cricketers in their thirties. Who says that the ability to play big shot reduces with age?

Check the list below (Records are Till 3rd May, After CSK vs KKR match)

Player - No.of Sixes

MS Dhoni - 24

AB de Villiers - 23

Chris Gayle - 23

Andre Russell - 23

Shane Watson - 21

The best part with these aged cricketers that they not only contribute with bat or ball but also brings a lot of experience required to handle the pressure situation. In T20 format, things change very fast and more than the skills, it's the patience which matters a lot to handle the tricky situation. 

This elite club of players who are in the thirties are making headlines in IPL 2018 and hope it will continue to inspire younger cricketers as well. 

Sahir