How Dhoni uses videos to shoot opponents

[kumar713]

Right through the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this April, Chris Gayle was blurring the lines of regional rivalry that the league had worked so hard to create. As he blasted his way to 175 not out against Pune Warriors on April 23, the chorus of appreciation led by his Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli was joined by some of the opposition players and fans. But even as he was turning out to be the toast of the season, Team India's analytics team was concentrating on the problem that lay ahead. In less than two weeks after IPL, Team India would have to face Gayle in the Champions Trophy in England, and they wanted to be ready for him. With fingers flying on their laptops, the techies, who work as the national team's brain trust, put together a plan. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the only bowler who had escaped Gayle's wrath in IPL, and Team India's data scientists began looking for, through patterns and visual data modules, why Gayle had been unable to get him away. Their finding was that Gayle had problems hitting in the air against bowlers who were quicker than 140 kmph, compared to medium-pacers who bowled in the late 120s and mid-130s. They also found that he had a problem early in his innings against pitched-up deliveries that swung away. When the teams finally met at the Oval on June 11, Gayle was dismissed for an 18-ball 21. Bhuvneshwar had the left-hander caught at slip with an away-going ball. Back in the dressing room, the team's video analyst Dhananjaya pumped his fist. Mission accomplished. The researchers have found, for instance, that Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal bowls three doosras in almost every over, and if no boundary has been conceded in the first five deliveries, the last delivery is almost certainly the one that goes away. They have also discovered that Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga bowls three full deliveries every over, and have advised the Indian batsmen that a short back-lift helps while dealing with his toe-crushing yorkers. Saeed Ajmal: Pakistani off-spinner. Problem: Indian batsmen had problems picking his doosra and gifted away wickets. Video analysis: Study revealed that he always bowled three doosras in an over,and the last delivery was often a doosra. Secret's Out: During Pakistan's tour to India in December 2012, batsmen were able to pick the doosras and neutralise his wicket-taking ability. Graeme Smith: South African opener. Problem: Best opener in world cricket,gets big scores once he settles in. Video analysis: TeamIndia found he had problems playing the cover-drive, and that he struggled against left-arm bowlers. Zaheer's Bunny: Left-armer Zaheer Khan got Smith's crucial wicket in the 2011 World Cup. He also dismissed Smith six times in nine Tests. More:http://cricket.yahoo.com/news/how-dhoni-uses-video-analysis-to-outwit-his-opponents-091236657.html

[G_B_]

hmm an interesting point. Digressing from this topic at hand. I had a debate with outy in the thread about fast bowlings apparent decline. We both agreed that the quality of cricket has been poor in the last decade. could it be that flaws of players are exposed a lot more due to technology?

[kumar713]

could it be that flaws of players are exposed a lot more due to technology?

May be:hmmm:

[G_B_]

this is especially true for established players. I am sure for eg now that Shikar is a known name everybody will have studied him and know where to bowl to him in 12 months time. Its upto Shikar to evolve and counter that.

[Crookbond]

Rise and importance of Data Scientists in every field! :yay:

[Lord]

Saeed Ajmal: Pakistani off-spinner. Problem: Indian batsmen had problems picking his doosra and gifted away wickets. Video analysis: Study revealed that he always bowled three doosras in an over,and the last delivery was often a doosra. Secret's Out: During Pakistan's tour to India in December 2012, batsmen were able to pick the doosras and neutralise his wicket-taking ability.

he picked up a fifer IIRC

[SLICKR392]

he picked up a fifer IIRC

How many of them were doosras? I think Bhuvi's in that fifer was one.

[G_B_]

this is going to happen more and more. Deeper the analysis will become for every batsman and bowler.

[saneindian]

Funny how such reports never come out when the team is losing!

[Jersey #10]

No data analyst has a solution to sir Jaddu b/c even Sir doesn't know what he is bowling or what shot he'll play to w/e delivary Sir Jaddu :hail:

[Sidhoni]

Interesting. I used to think teams from subcontinent don't really practice these things.

[Crookbond]

Funny how such reports never come out when the team is losing!

During India's tour of SA 2010 (I guess while we were losing the first Test), there was already such a video report by Star Cricket/ESPN. One of the insights was - SA is more inclined to lose wickets after a drinks break than a lunch/tea interval.

[Number]

He is shooting ads.