When the IPL was launched in 2008, it wasn’t just about cricket, it was about entertainment, business, and redefining the game for the modern viewer. While some franchises banked on established international stars and traditional approaches, others embraced risk, thinking outside the box to gain a competitive edge. These strategic gambles have ranged from out-of-the-box auction tactics to bold captaincy decisions and unconventional gameplay philosophies.
Some of these unique strategies reshaped a franchise’s destiny. Others fell flat but left valuable lessons in their wake. Regardless of the outcome, these bold moves reflected one truth: in the IPL, fortune often favours the brave. Let’s dive into five times when IPL franchises broke the mould with daring strategies and the fascinating stories behind them.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Spinners in the Powerplay (2016)
Strategy: Use spin bowlers, sometimes even part-timers, in the powerplay to control the flow of runs.
In a format where captains often unleash pacers with the new ball, SRH’s David Warner and coach Tom Moody did the opposite. They strategically bowled spinners like Bipul Sharma and Moises Henriques in the powerplay, especially on slow Indian tracks.
This unconventional approach aimed to:
- Force batters out of rhythm.
- Save pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman for the death overs.
- Set up pressure by building dot-ball pressure early on.
The 2016 squad was a tactician’s dream:
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar topped the wicket charts with 23 scalps.
- Mustafizur, the Fizz from Bangladesh, won the Emerging Player award with his off-cutters and slower deliveries that foxed even seasoned hitters.
Outcome: SRH lifted their maiden IPL trophy in 2016. Their approach was proof that innovation, not just firepower, can win titles.
4. Royal Challengers Bangalore – The Bowling Revolution (2021)
Strategy: Prioritise bowling depth over batting might, flipping the script on RCB’s historical weakness.
For years, RCB was a batting-first franchise, boasting lineups with Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Glenn Maxwell. But bowling? That was always their Achilles’ heel. So in 2021, they made a conscious pivot.
Instead of overloading their top order, they invested in a well-rounded bowling unit:
- Harshal Patel was traded in from Delhi Capitals and handed the death-overs role. He stunned everyone by picking up 32 wickets in a single season, equaling Dwayne Bravo’s record, with his deceptive slower balls.
- Mohammed Siraj became a powerplay enforcer, delivering fiery spells with new-ball swing.
- Kyle Jamieson, the tall New Zealand seamer, brought bounce and variation.
- Yuzvendra Chahal continued to be their trusted spin ace in the middle overs.
Their bowlers often defended below-par totals, a rarity in the Chinnaswamy legacy of high scores.
Outcome: RCB qualified for the playoffs, finishing third in the league. This strategy redefined their image as not just a batting-heavy team, but one that could win with discipline and craft.
3. Punjab Kings – The ‘All-Out Attack’ Batting Line-up (2020)
Strategy: Build a hyper-aggressive batting unit and chase down any total with sheer firepower.
The 2020 IPL, held in the UAE, saw Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) embrace a strategy reminiscent of T20 leagues like The Hundred or Big Bash, go ultra-aggressive, stack the top-order with power hitters, and back them to chase down any target.
The batting order read like a six-hitting dream:
- KL Rahul, the captain and Orange Cap winner, scored 670 runs with a mix of elegance and power. His 132* against RCB remains one of the finest IPL innings.
- Mayank Agarwal, his opening partner, brought flair and consistency, scoring 424 runs at a strike rate of 156.45.
- Nicholas Pooran, West Indies’ left-handed dynamo, was a livewire in the middle, scoring at over 169 strike rate.
- Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss, was unleashed midway through the season and immediately scored a 99* and multiple match-turning cameos.
However, the team lacked bowling depth and finishing reliability, often losing tight games, including two Super Over matches.
Outcome: Despite having one of the most intimidating batting units, Punjab finished 6th. Their “all gas, no brakes” approach thrilled fans but exposed the dangers of imbalance in T20 cricket.
2. Kolkata Knight Riders – Total Trust in Gambhir (2011–2014)
Strategy: Hand complete cricketing control to the captain and build a team around his leadership style.
After three chaotic and underwhelming seasons (2008–2010), KKR needed a reboot. In 2011, they made a bold decision by appointing Gautam Gambhir as captain for ₹11 crore, making him the most expensive player of the auction. But the real gamble? Giving him full autonomy in strategy and squad shaping.
Gambhir, known for his intensity and tactical clarity, transformed the culture of the franchise.
- He backed Sunil Narine, a mystery spinner from Trinidad & Tobago with barely any international exposure. Narine wreaked havoc in 2012, taking 24 wickets with an economy of 5.47, becoming a match-winner in low-scoring conditions.
- He turned Robin Uthappa into a potent opener in 2014, which helped him win the Orange Cap.
- He mentored youngsters like Manish Pandey and Kuldeep Yadav, trusting them in pressure situations. Pandey’s 94 in the 2014 final was one of the greatest IPL knocks under pressure.
Outcome: KKR won two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir wasn’t just a captain; rather, he was a general. His leadership made KKR a strategic powerhouse, known for discipline and relentless execution.
1. Rajasthan Royals – The ‘Moneyball’ Approach (2008 & Beyond)
Strategy: Focus on uncapped Indian talent and underappreciated assets rather than buying superstars.
In a world chasing brand names and international heavyweights, the Rajasthan Royals took a radically different approach in the inaugural IPL season. Owned by a consortium led by Manoj Badale and mentored by the legendary Shane Warne, the Royals built their squad not around glitz, but around value.
The team embraced a “Moneyball” mindset, which was a term popularised by baseball executive Billy Beane, which revolved around identifying high-performing but undervalued players who could outperform their price tags.
- Ravindra Jadeja, a teenage left-arm spinner from Saurashtra, was dubbed the “Rockstar” by Warne himself. He was fearless, street-smart, and would go on to become one of India’s greatest all-rounders.
- Yusuf Pathan, the elder brother of Irfan Pathan, was a brute-force power-hitter who decimated bowling attacks with his no-holds-barred style. His 56 off 39 in the 2008 final was match-winning.
- Sohail Tanvir, a Pakistani left-arm seamer with an unorthodox action, ended up being the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2008 with 22 scalps, bought for just $100,000.
Outcome: Rajasthan Royals defied the odds and won the 2008 IPL. Their success wasn’t just about a trophy, it redefined talent scouting in India. The Royals proved that stars can be made, not just bought.
Strategic Masterstrokes – Stats Table
| Franchise | Unique Strategy | Key Player(s) | Season Impact | Result | Notable Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan Royals (2008) | Moneyball – undervalued players over stars | Yusuf Pathan (435 runs), Sohail Tanvir (22 wickets), Ravindra Jadeja | Yusuf Pathan’s 56 in the final + Tanvir’s Purple Cap | Champions | Pandey’s 94 in the 2014 final; Narine’s rise |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (2012 & 2014) | Captain-Centric Control | Gautam Gambhir (Captain), Sunil Narine (24 wickets, 2012), Manish Pandey | Consistent playoffs | Champions (2x) | Harshal equalled most wickets in a season (32) |
| Punjab Kings (2020) | All-out attack batting | KL Rahul (670 runs), Pooran (strike rate 169+), Gayle | High-scoring thrillers, 6th place finish | Missed playoffs | 2 Super Overs in 1 game – first in IPL history |
| RCB (2021) | Bowling-first mentality | Harshal Patel (32 wickets), Siraj, Chahal | Top 3 finish | Playoffs | Harshal equalled the most wickets in a season (32) |
| SRH (2016) | Spin in Powerplay | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (23 wickets), Mustafizur (Emerging Player) | Middle-table to peak momentum | Champions | Strategic overs by Bipul & Henriques early on |
| Gujarat Titans (2022) | All-round depth + New captain gamble | Hardik Pandya (487 runs + 8 wickets), Miller, Tewatia | Table-toppers & final win | Champions (Debut) | Top of the table; Final win |
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