Follow UsChennai Super Kings' risky approach of bowling wide outside off-stump was not a bad ploy but handing Shivam Dube the penultimate over in a pressure situation was a flawed decision against Lucknow Super Giants, according to former CSK pacer Dirk Nannes.
Defending 211 at the Brabourne Stadium, the defending champions conceded 46 runs from the final 15 balls, including 25 from Dube's 19th over, as they succumbed to a second loss in IPL 2022.
"They bowled really well. Dwayne Bravo was excellent. Even the young Indian bowlers were cagey but disciplined. They were brave trying to bowl on the wide lines and risking extras," Nannes said in Cricket.com's match review.
"CSK bowlers were trying to go for the wide line and then a straight line and were repeating that pattern. Pretorius was perfect exponent for that tactic and unfortunately for CSK, it didn't come off," he said.
"It was only with their bowling changes. Giving the 19th over to Dube, it put him to the sword. Jadeja himself should've bowled that over. Giving Dube his first over of the match with Lewis red-hot, just destroyed him," he added.
Nannes felt that CSK can shuffle around their bowlers after the loss on a pitch which heavily aided batters.
"I don't think it's necessarily the death bowling. Dwayne Bravo is brilliant and it was only down to giving Dube the 19th over. It's too much pressure on a youngster. I think they might be playing Pretorius to have an extra batter because Chris Jordan is a better death bowler. I think they'll shuffle around," the former Australian pacer said.
Despite the defeat, the four-time champions had a bright spot in the batting with Robin Uthappa scoring a blistering 27-ball 50 at the top of the order. Nannes felt it would only cause selection dilemma for CSK.
"At this point of time, it's difficult to see who will be replaced for the overseas spot. I think they have shuffle around the overseas players to make place for Robbie," he said.
Nannes was full of praise for Ravi Bishnoi who bowled a brilliant spell of 2-24 on a ground which had a lot of dew, which made gripping the ball difficult for spinners.
"He was unpickable on the night and his wrong-uns were ripping across the body. The pitch was not conducive for spin bowling as the ball was skidding on and the dew was causing problems. But he was attacking, varying pace through the air, hard to get away. Moeen Ali had no idea which way the ball would spin," he said.
Evin Lewis scored a match-winning 55 not out off 23 balls, but LSG's need for disciplined bowlers might see him sidelined to accommodate allrounders Marcus Stoinis and Jason Holder, who are yet to join the team.
"It's very difficult. They'll have to play Stoinis because they need a disciplined bowler. After today, they need someone who can bowl from both sides with extra discipline, so Holder has to play as well," Nannes said.