D/L doesn't work in T20s - Steyn

Steyn speaks out on D/L method

Dale Steyn, the Sunrisers Hyderabad seamer, has become the first major player in the IPL this season to speak up about the much-debated Duckworth-Lewis method, admitting that it was an "ongoing discussion in changing rooms".

Steyn snared two wickets on Saturday to help restrict Delhi Daredevils to 143, and after a couple of rain interruptions, the Sunrisers' task was made even easier as the target was revised to 43 from five overs.

"No doubt the Daredevils would have felt hard done by the last game when the Duckworth-Lewis method gave us a five-over target of less than 50," Steyn wrote in his column for the Times of India . "The rules regarding rain-affected matches are the subject of ongoing discussion in IPL changing rooms.

"Let me skip straight to the conclusion. The way D/L is calculated at the moment, it doesn't work in T20s. But until they, or somebody else, comes up with an improved formula - or even something completely different - we have to stick with it. It's better than tossing a coin or drawing a target out of a hat."

Shastri tips Praveen for England tour

One of the few positives for Mumbai Indians during their defeat to Chennai Super Kings which all but ended their hopes of reaching the playoffs, was a spirited showing from their seamer Praveen Kumar.

Praveen, who went unsold at the IPL auction in February, was roped in by Mumbai as a replacement for the injured Zaheer Khan, and he marked his first appearance for the franchise by picking up the crucial wickets of Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum.

Ravi Shastri, writing for Times of India believes that an in-form Praveen warrants selection for the upcoming tour of England, where the bowler's late swing could be a potent weapon.

"This is important for Indian cricket. Praveen is excellent with his control and swing either way; notably late swing. He has the heart of a lion. His Test figures are good," Shastri wrote. "In English conditions, which are expected to be colder this year, he could form a healthy pair with state-mate and protégé, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

"The fact that he is a genuine swing bowler is something that you must take into account as they are a breed who are getting rarer by the day and hence have to be nurtured."

Been a legspinners' tournament - Vettori

While the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Dwayne Smith and David Miller have hogged the limelight this season for their big hitting, Daniel Vettori, the Royal Challengers Bangalore head coach, struck a different note, insisting that this year had been a "legspinners' tournament".

"I think this has been a legspinner's tournament - Pravin Tambe and Rahul Tewatia today for Rajasthan Royals, Amit Mishra and Karn Sharma for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Yuzvendra Chahal for us," Vettori told iplt20.com . "We've seen the rise of the legspinners, which is great because everyone loves watching a leggie in action. It's a really tough art to master, but when you see these guys do so well, it inspires youngsters."

"Arrogant" Pollard got away lightly - Donald

One of the biggest flashpoints of this season's IPL was the ugly altercation between Mitchell Starc and Kieron Pollard, with both players eventually admitting to a level two offence under the IPL's code of conduct.

Pollard lost 75% of his match fee, but Allan Donald, the bowling coach of the Royal Challengers, had strong words for the Mumbai allrounder, branding him "arrogant" and worthy of a bigger punishment.

"I have a fairly strong opinion about what happened the other day at the Wankhede Stadium. It's not something that should be tolerated," Donald told Mid Day . "As far as I am concerned, Pollard pulled out deliberately at the last moment and that's not acceptable. Pollard is a fairly arrogant individual. I can't stand a player who wants to throw his bat at the bowler.

"It's just not on. There's space for a bit of niggling but beyond that, I don't think these things should be allowed to take place on the field. And from the fines that were imposed, I must say that Pollard got away pretty lightly."

RCB quash Gayle injury rumours

The Royal Challengers Bangalore dismissed reports that Chris Gayle had been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL. Gayle, who was dismissed for 19 on Sunday, had missed the Royal Challengers' first few games with a back injury, and speculation was rife that he would miss the franchise's remaining games as well.

"Gayle is not ruled out and no replacement is sought," the Royal Challengers said in a statement.