Former Indian captain turned commentator, Sunil Gavaskar talked highly about Chennai Super Kings (CSK) form in the recently suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. He expressed his views in a column for Sportstar. MS Dhoni led his side to second place in the points table.
Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh had pulled out of the tournament, last year due to personal reasons. Last year CSK finished seventh on the points table, thus unable to make it to the playoffs for the first time. It was clear that CSK needs new energy to revive its supremacy.
This year, Dhoni’s team was back with a bang with some new purchases and tweaks to the side which proved a masterstroke. Acknowledging the same, here is what Gavaskar wrote –
“All the other teams were in top form with last year’s disappointing team, Chennai Super Kings, looking like the champion it usually had been all these years. There was a renewed energy about the team this time, though there were no major changes to its squad,” Gavaskar wrote.
Ruturaj Gaikwad among the runs, Faf du Plessis in form, Moeen getting them a flying run-rate, Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina chipping in crucial knocks, and of course all-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran going berserk in the end, Chennai were looking like the team to beat this year.
It was their batting that was getting stuck and Dhoni was quick to realize it. With Watson retiring from franchise cricket, they needed a power hitter up top. This slot was aptly suited for Moeen Ali, whom CSK brought after watching his batting exploits in the last innings for the last test between India and England.
“The promotion of Moeen Ali to the top of the order at No. 3 turned out to be a masterstroke as the left-handed batsman produced some blistering innings. The seasoned Faf du Plessis was in cracking form, too, and, along with the promising Ruturaj Gaikwad, gave the team some top stars.
CSK has been without a death over specialist for over the years now. A good find in Sam Curran has added a fine balance to the side, but death overs still remain a concern for CSK.
“Sam Curran continues to impress and improve with every game and bids fair to be considered a proper all-rounder now. It’s the final overs’ bowling that the side needs to strengthen as was evident in the match against Mumbai when, despite scoring 218, it lost the game off the last ball,” Gavaskar stated.
