India, April 11 -- Sunrisers Hyderabad's defeat to Punjab Kings was not just about leaking a 220-plus chase. It was also about a selection call that seemed to change shape between the toss and the second innings. At the toss, Ishan Kishan said, "We have 2 changes. Salil comes in place of Livingstone, and Praful is making his debut today. He comes in place of Jaydev Unadkat."

That made it sound like SRH had made a clean, last-minute call. Praful Hinge in. Jaydev Unadkat out. Fresh option, fresh plan. But when Punjab began the chase, Unadkat still ended up bowling for SRH. That is why this was more than a communication glitch. It looked like a late call SRH could not fully commit to, and once the pressure rose, they went back to the old op...