WATCH: 3 Balls, 3 Sweeps, 3 Appeals - The Sundar vs Lewis Battle
Matchups in T20 cricket are important. The teams make plans against each opponent player and decide what is the best way to tackle them. While it was always used in cricket with a gut feeling, most teams now use data to confirm that feeling.
During the buildup of the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2022 match, Evin Lewis batting against Washington Sundar was always going to be an interesting battle.
Even though Lewis hits almost all types of bowling but against off-spin, the West Indian tends to struggle - Lewis SR, Avg vs OB - 108, 35. Against Sundar, the batter, before this match, had scored 46 runs at a strike rate of 148 but had got out twice.
In the 2nd over, SRH captain Kane Williamson introduced Sundar to bowl against Quinton de Kock - another matchup since he has an average of 28 facing off-break and strikes at 115. The matchup worked as Sundar got him out on the fourth ball.
Evin Lewis walked in and on the very first ball decided to sweep Sundar. The ball struck his pads and a loud appeal followed. SRH were confident and decided to review it. It turned out to be an umpire's call and Lewis survived.
On the next ball, Lewis once again tried to sweep and the ball once again hit the pads. Another appeal followed. It was going down the leg and SRH didn't review.
In the next over, Lewis once again faced Sundar and on the first ball, Lewis once again tried to sweep. The ball again hit the pads and again an appeal followed. But this time, the umpire raised the finger to adjudge Lewis out.
Also Read: IPL 2022 - Scorecard
The West Indian had an option to review it but didn't. It was another umpire's call but he would have been out. The matchup worked as the Sundar vs Lewis battle ended rather early but it was nice while it lasted.