KKR assistant coach Doeschate urges 'anti-skill innovations' to counter ruthless batters

KKR assistant coach emphasizes the need for bowlers to use "anti-skill" to counter aggressive batting in IPL

Bowlers need to find "innovative ways to execute deliveries with a touch of "anti-skill" to challenge the range-hitting batsmen in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), reckoned Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) successfully mounted the highest run-chase in T20s when they surpassed Kolkata Knight Riders imposing 261/6 with eight balls and eight wickets to spare in their IPL match at Eden Gardens on April 26.

"The game is almost unrecognisable from 10 years ago when you get past 160 you can almost pack your bag and feel you're going to win the game. Now, you need 160 before the 13th over to have a chance to get a big score," Doeschate said during the post-match media interaction.

Jonny Bairstow led the chase with a scintillating 108 off just 48 deliveries after Impact Player Prabhsimran Singh set the tone with a blistering 54 off 20 balls.

After Prabhsimran's exit, Shashank Singh provided a helping hand with an unbeaten 28-ball 68 in a match that witnessed a record 42 sixes in total.

The former Dutch allrounder, who was part of KKR's 2014 title winning side, emphasised the need for bowlers to adopt unconventional tactics by bowling "anti-skill," in order to be successful in the face of aggressive batting strategies.

"You want to bowl with anti-skill. I think, you know, short and wide really works, dragging guys wide and then going straight." Citing the example of Sam Curran dismissing Phil Salt, he said: "You almost need to catch guys off-guard a little bit like Sam Curran caught Phil Salt off-guard. Set off-side field, he dragged him across and then fire one at leg stump." "We have to come up with innovative ways. We have to keep changing literally ball by ball. I don't think you can bowl two balls the same. I don't think you can bowl bowlers back-to-back anymore unless they really have a grip on the game.