27 April,2009 08:20 AM IST | | Sanjjeev K Samyal
Kevin Pietersen has the cricket world divided over the switch hit. Many experts believe it gives the batsman an unfair advantage.
Pietersen is a master of the stroke where in he changes his grip as the bowler is about to deliver, and plays the shot like a left-hander would.
He triggered the debate which lead to the Marylebone Cricket Club committee (the guardians of the laws of the game) discussing its legality when he carted New Zealand bowler Scott Styris over the fence during a one-dayer at Chester le Street in June, 2008. Being skipper of that team, Daniel Vettori had a strong opinion about the stroke then. The MCC committee rightly legalised the shot though many still have reservations.
Yesterday, Vettori was not complaining though. Pietersen attempted the same stroke against the crafty NZ let-arm spinner but with disastrous results.
Turning point
Against the Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore had lost early wickets and KP was looking good for the first time in the tournament. Having made 37 off 25 balls, he was bowled off Vettori while attempting the switch hit.
It was one of the turning points of the game.
He did not need to go for the jugular and his wicket at the score of 72, turned the advantage in Delhi's favour.
His team's innings ended at 149 but would have certainly been a lot more had Pietersen stayed at the crease longer.
After an initial hiccup, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Irfan Pathan strung a partnership that saw Delhi home with four balls to spare. KP however said it was a paying shot for him and yesterday's dismissal would not prevent him from employing it again.
"The timing might have been wrong today but I have played this way for five-six years in international cricket and I am not going to change," KP said.
IPL's highest paid player's switch certainly cost his team dear yesterday.
