NEWS
Follow UsChennai Super Kings (CSK) registered their first win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) six wickets in Mumbai. Deepak Chahar was the star of the match, finishing with 4 for 13 - his best figures in IPL. CSK skipper MS Dhoni was not just pleased with the win but is also very happy with the way he has progressed over the years.
"Chahar is somebody who has developed as a death overs bowler too. If I'm looking to attack and there is movement I try to bowl him out because he gets more out of the pitch. As a bowling unit we have more resources. I was looking to attack, so bowled his four overs and it helps in becoming fit because to bowl 4 successive overs you need to be fit," Dhoni said after the match.
Speaking of the decision to promote Moeen Ali to No. 3 - a position previously occupied by Suresh Raina for many years - the CSK captain said, "We felt if Moeen bats up the order, we can make use of the resources that we got. Moeen is a very good timer of the ball and plays authentic shots. We have to make the most of the resources."
He was not happy with the relaid pitch at the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. "After the wicket was relaid, we found it difficult to adjust to conditions. This is a very good wicket, but it depends on the conditions on that day. The ball moved today, but it didn't swing around a lot. There was no dew and enough seam movement," he added.
Punjab captain KL Rahul was disappointed with the performance. "There's not much more to say. If any team loses five wickets in the first seven or eight overs, it's always going to be catch up. They bowled well, we played some bad shots, that's how the game goes.
"It (pitch) was a lot more sticky and tacky than what it looked like. Credit to the CSK bowlers, they bowled in the right channels, Deepak with his knuckle balls got a couple of wickets, getting myself run-out doesn't help the team."
Chahar said it wasn't a 100-110 wicket, adding it was good learning for the team. "We have pace in our attack, we obviously want to use that. The first game didn't go too well for those two (Richardson and Meredith), it was their first game and I am sure they were a bit nervous. "That was the chat after the game as well, that's how IPL goes. It can be tough and cruel. Their plans were clear, they did execute it pretty well."
He said he got the responsibility to bowl the first over and set the tone. "It's a big responsibility for me in the last four years and Mahi bhai has shown faith in me. As a bowler, this is my plan always. You may not take wickets in T20s, so my plan is to bowl dots in powerplays," Chahar signed off.
(With inputs from PTI)