Top priority for the middle overs

Traditionally, South Africa is a venue for fast bowlers: the pitches generally offer bounce, and the conditions assist swing and seam. That has been demonstrated to some extent in the ongoing IPL, with Lasith Malinga and RP Singh leading the wicket-takers' list, and some of the others enjoying the pitches too.

The major difference between this tournament and its previous edition, though, isn't the performance of teams in the first six overs. There have admittedly been several early wickets - six times the first one has fallen off the first legitimate ball, and nine times teams have lost their first wicket without a run on the board - but overall the Powerplay overs have still been reasonably productive, and the numbers aren't that different to what they were in 2008. The average runs per wicket is slightly lower, but the runs per over is almost the same.

The numbers are somewhat similar in the last six overs as well, but the big difference has been in the eight overs in the middle of the innings - from the seventh to the 14th. In 2008, the middle overs were a period when teams continued from where they had left off after the Powerplay, scoring at the same rate despite the fielders being scattered all over the park. This time, though, the pitches have offered a far greater challenge to batsmen, with the option of hitting through the line being a low-percentage one as tracks have lacked pace and have offered a fair amount of turn for the spinners. The average runs per over has dropped by almost ten - a huge difference - while the runs per over is lesser by more than one. On an average, where teams used to score 63 in the eight middle overs in 2008, they average 54 this time.

The opening exchanges with the bat have been dominated by Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings, thanks largely to Herschelle Gibbs, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden. These are the only two teams who average more than 50 runs per wicket during this period, and score at more than nine an over. However, whereas Deccan have built on this start and have been supported by the bowlers, for Chennai Hayden has played a lone hand, which explains why his team is languishing.

On the other hand, Rajasthan have been dismal at the start, and are the only team to score at less than a run a ball, and average less than 15 per wicket. Their average score after six overs is 33 for 2, which is hardly ideal, especially in a format which offers little time for recovery.

The teams that have done well in the IPL so far, though, have been those who have handled the middle overs better than the rest. Thanks largely to Herschelle Gibbs and Rohit Sharma, Deccan Chargers have been prolific in those eight overs, scoring at more than eight an over and, equally importantly, not losing too many wickets during this period. Incredibly, they've also hit 15 sixes and only 12 fours during this period of their innings, and are the only team to average more than 40. Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians, two other teams who have impressed in the tournament so far, have good middle-over records too.

On the other hand, the teams at the bottom of this table are also those who are struggling in the tournament: Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders have both scored at less than a run a ball during the middle overs, and have lost a slew of wickets as well. Rajasthan's average score in these eight overs is 46 for 4, while Kolkata score 45 for 3. Neither are ideal launching pads for the last six overs. Bangalore, with an average score of 49 for 3, are only marginally better.

Thanks to Yusuf Pathan's heroics, Rajasthan finish their innings with a much greater flourish than they begin with. Delhi and Punjab have impressed too, while the rest of the teams have scored at a brisk rate despite losing wickets fairly regularly during the slog. Deccan have a poor average of 13, but with most of the scoring already done at the start of their innings, their relatively poor ending hasn't hurt them much.

The stars of the middle overs have been a mixed bag, with openers and middle-order batsmen sharing the spots. Rahul Dravid has waged a lone battle for Bangalore, with a fantastic average of 94 at a strike rate of more than seven and a half. The much-fancied Kevin Pietersen, though, has flopped completely during these overs, being dismissed four times for 44 runs in 39 balls for an average of 11. His numbers are probably the one major reason for Bangalore's poor run for the second time in successive years.

Deccan, on the other hand, have two players who've played the middle overs exceptionally well. Gibbs has been their stand-out performer, with 89 runs from 51 balls without being dismissed. Rohit has supported him well too, with a fine average and a healthy strike rate.

Well begun's more than half done

How important is the opening partnership in this format? If the stats below are any indication, they're vital. Openers haven't had it their way in the IPL so far, but a good start has almost invariably led to wins. In the first 20 games, 17 have had a winner in the regular 20-over format. (One match was tied and required a Super Over, while two were washed out.) Of those 17 games, eight times the winning team has had an opening stand of at least 50 (and nine time it has exceeded 40). The two century stands - for Mumbai and Chennai - have both led to wins.

On the other hand, only twice has a 50-plus opening stand gone in vain - for Chennai and Punjab against Delhi. Of the 17 times that teams have suffered defeats, on 14 occasions the opening partnership ended before touching double-digits. It's no surprise, then, that the opening stands of defeated teams is less than a quarter that of the winning sides. The partnerships for the losing teams read thus: 0, 2, 67, 1, 0, 9, 0, 57, 6, 4, 0, 7, 0, 8, 20, 0, 1.