'Wet ball a huge disadvantage' - KL Rahul in favour of changing the wet ball in second innings

Punjab Kings suffered their second loss of the IPL 2021 and lost to Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets. Defending 195, Punjab Kings bowlers were struggling with dew which forced KL Rahul to check with the umpires if the ball could be replaced. However, the umpires denied the same. Post their defeat, KL Rahul opined that there should be a rule to change the wet ball during the second innings of the T20 game, adding that the wet ball is a huge disadvantage to the bowling team.

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"I think that will really be fair to the team bowling second, and I am not just saying that because I am on the losing side," Rahul told Star Sports at the post-match presentation. "I think that's only fair that the team bowling second doesn't have such a huge disadvantage. Our bowlers try and practice their skills with the wet ball, but when you go out in the middle with the pressure it's always difficult. I did ask the umpires to change the ball a couple of times, but again, it's not in the rulebook, so that's how the game goes, we've got to take it."

Apart from one game where Punjab barely managed to defend 222 runs, all the matches in Wankhede have been won by the teams chasing and dew had a major role to play in that. It’s difficult for the bowlers, especially the spinners to grip the wet ball. KL Rahul added that he was aware of the challenges of bowling in dewy conditions but that’s something that cannot be easily tackled.

"It was not something that was unexpected. When we come to Wankhede, we know that bowling second is always a challenge. We, as a bowling unit, tried to prepare for such conditions as well, but, again, it does get a bit difficult in a game situation, and especially when you are bowling against quality batters”

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Earlier, CSK skipper MS Dhoni, after their loss to Delhi Capitals in their first game also admitted that the dewy conditions give a massive advantage to the teams batting second.

Also read our preview for CSK vs RR match

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