India, April 19 -- In an age where T20 is pretty much defined by matchups, the onus is on bowlers to stay at least a step ahead of batters. Not easy when you consider the lengths batting sides are going these days. Batters are focusing more on strike rate than aggregates while also converting quick starts, driving up the par scores every season. Middle overs aren't consolidatory anymore. And left-right batting combination is being tried as a jailbreak solution to every challenge.

To counter this step up in aggression, pacers have come up with innovative variations but spinners aren't behind as well. Change in pace is proving to be deceptive, but equally effective remains the discipline to hit the correct lengths. Kuldeep Yadav is the bes...