Bowling wins you games and tournaments in T20 cricket; it's a philosophy head coach Andrew McDonald would like to be followed at the Rajasthan Royals, especially ahead of the auction in December prior to the next year's edition of the IPL.
Having gone through the process of retention and release, Royals are focused on fine-tuning their squad particularly the bowling attack.
"One of my key philosophies as a coach in particular in T20 cricket is having the bowling strength," McDonald told Firstpost. "I say the game is 240 balls of problems and the 120 with the ball you can actually control a little bit more. The other 120 you face with the bat is more a reaction to what's coming forward, so it's quite instinctive batting."
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“The controllable for us are those 120 balls while bowling and that's something we would look to strengthen. If we could defend those 120 balls, it gives us a chance to score more than our opposition. I know that sounds really simple but it's a philosophy I've adopted across the teams I have been part of."
The former Australia all-rounder has enjoyed great success in his coaching career so far and is hoping to replicate that in the biggest league and change the Royals' fortunes. "When you start to get that favourites tag, it means you are being consistent for a period of time," he said. "Rajasthan have made it to the playoffs before, so there's probably a lack of consistency from year to year."
"Therefore the underdogs' tag is going to stick. I would like to envisage in three year's time that people aren't talking about us as an underdog, they are speaking about us as a consistent team that's improved year on year and there is a way and style of cricket they play that will put them in top 4 at the end of the season. That's how you shake the underdogs tag."
Royals finished seventh in the eight-team points table last season but have made quite a few changes to their regime besides roping in McDonald. Including letting go longstanding servant Ajinkya Rahane and naming Steve Smith their skipper.
"Clarity in direction is what is needed. Knowing where you want to end up. And then building how you want to get there, through your preparation, planning and playing personnel. A clear understanding of how you are going to win things. And then building back from there, step by step."
"A lot of teams take a bit of time to get to where you want to. Renegades were a struggling team, people unfold theses 3-5 year plans and things like that. I think just improvement year to year will see you get to where you want to. It's not linear," McDonald added.
(Inputs from CricketNext)
