Chennai: The spotlight just doesn’t leave him. MS Dhoni ’s bat may not be doing the talking in this IPL , but circumstances may force him to be back as the Chennai Super Kings captain in their crucial home game against Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.With regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad nursing a bruised right forearm from the previous clash against Rajasthan Royals, CSK may be forced to go back to their 43-year-old legend.
CSK batting coach Michael Hussey said that Gaikwad is still “sore”. “We are hoping that he is fit. He is going to try and have a bat in training. We are hopeful he will be fine for tomorrow,” said Hussey on the eve of the game.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
And, when asked if Ruturaj doesn’t play, who is likely to lead the team, Hussey joked: “We have got some young guy coming through, he’s behind the stumps. I’m not sure he’s got a bit of experience in the role, so maybe he could do it.”
It could just be the right time for Dhoni to take charge as three matches into the IPL season, CSK aren’t looking at their best. And at a time like that, the in-form Delhi Capitals side comes as a massive challenge. The Axar Patel-led team has hit the ground running and have all the ammunition to make it a difficult game for CSK.
TOI takes a look at the factors that will hold the key to this ‘day-match’, where dew won’t be a factor.
Noor takes tips from Kuldeep ahead of their ‘clash’
It’s not often that a clash between two left-arm wrist spinners becomes the talking point, but Saturday could offer just that on a spin-friendly track. On one end stands the seasoned Kuldeep Yadav whose bowling smarts could trouble CSK’s unsettled batting line-up.
In the opposite camp, Super Kings young gun Noor Ahmad has quickly made a name for himself with his guile. In all three games, he was the most successful bowler for CSK and his match-up with the likes of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis — two master players of spin — may become the deciding factor of this game.
On the eve of the match, Kuldeep had some kind words for his Afghan counterpart. “Noor is bowling really well. I know him personally and he’s someone who’s trying to learn from everyone. We had a chat last night (Friday) and we spoke on how to go about leg-spin. He obviously has a lovely wrong-un and with that kind of a pace, it’s very difficult for a batter to pick, especially when you play in Chennai,” said Kuldeep.
Familiar faces now foes
Delhi don’t just come here with form on their side, they have few familiar faces in their line-up who understand the MAC conditions very well. While Faf, a CSK pillar for a long time, is a player that the five-time champions will be wary of, DC coach Hemang Badani is also a Tamil Nadu stalwart.
His coaching career also flourished after he took charge of Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, guiding the team to four titles. He will look to use all that experience to make it as tough for CSK as possible on a sizzling Saturday afternoon.
CSK batting coach Michael Hussey said that Gaikwad is still “sore”. “We are hoping that he is fit. He is going to try and have a bat in training. We are hopeful he will be fine for tomorrow,” said Hussey on the eve of the game.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
And, when asked if Ruturaj doesn’t play, who is likely to lead the team, Hussey joked: “We have got some young guy coming through, he’s behind the stumps. I’m not sure he’s got a bit of experience in the role, so maybe he could do it.”
It could just be the right time for Dhoni to take charge as three matches into the IPL season, CSK aren’t looking at their best. And at a time like that, the in-form Delhi Capitals side comes as a massive challenge. The Axar Patel-led team has hit the ground running and have all the ammunition to make it a difficult game for CSK.
TOI takes a look at the factors that will hold the key to this ‘day-match’, where dew won’t be a factor.
Noor takes tips from Kuldeep ahead of their ‘clash’
It’s not often that a clash between two left-arm wrist spinners becomes the talking point, but Saturday could offer just that on a spin-friendly track. On one end stands the seasoned Kuldeep Yadav whose bowling smarts could trouble CSK’s unsettled batting line-up.
In the opposite camp, Super Kings young gun Noor Ahmad has quickly made a name for himself with his guile. In all three games, he was the most successful bowler for CSK and his match-up with the likes of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis — two master players of spin — may become the deciding factor of this game.
On the eve of the match, Kuldeep had some kind words for his Afghan counterpart. “Noor is bowling really well. I know him personally and he’s someone who’s trying to learn from everyone. We had a chat last night (Friday) and we spoke on how to go about leg-spin. He obviously has a lovely wrong-un and with that kind of a pace, it’s very difficult for a batter to pick, especially when you play in Chennai,” said Kuldeep.
Familiar faces now foes
Delhi don’t just come here with form on their side, they have few familiar faces in their line-up who understand the MAC conditions very well. While Faf, a CSK pillar for a long time, is a player that the five-time champions will be wary of, DC coach Hemang Badani is also a Tamil Nadu stalwart.
His coaching career also flourished after he took charge of Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, guiding the team to four titles. He will look to use all that experience to make it as tough for CSK as possible on a sizzling Saturday afternoon.
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