IPL 2021: They Don't Have An Express Bowler For Death Overs - Aakash Chopra Points Out The 'Only Weakness' In Chennai Super Kings

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra observed that the Chennai Super Kings lacked on the death bowling aspect of their game, otherwise they have had a near-perfect IPL 2021 so far. With 5 wins from 7 games, MS Dhoni-led side sits comfortably at the second position, before the tournament was suspended last week.

Aakash Chopra reckons since Dwayne Bravo’s bowling prowess is on the wane, CSK needed an express fast bowler, someone who could be relied on in the death overs – unfortunately, for the 3-time champions, neither of Lungi Ngidi, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, or Deepak Chahar excel in that stage of the game.

Aakash Chopra reckons CSK may be missing Josh Hazlewood, who pulled out of the tournament before it began, or his replacement Jason Behrendorff, who had just completed his quarantine, but the season got paused. CSK conceded big runs this season; while most of the time their batters compensated for the ordinary death bowling, against Mumbai Indians, even 218 proved to be less for the bowlers to defend.

“The only weakness that was seen in CSK was their death bowling. They do not have an express bowler for the death overs. Other than that it has been a perfect campaign till now where it is not possible to find a negative,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“They kept Dwayne Bravo with themselves but didn’t give him too many opportunities. Ngidi is not your typical death bowler, we saw him in front of Pollard. They did not play Jason Behrendorff at all although he was in the squad because Hazlewood did not come. It is possible Hazlewood might come now,” he added.

There could be a problem in the coming days for CSK: Aakash Chopra

The 43-year-old points out that CSK could be massively depleted when the tournament resumes, as the franchise may lose the services of Moeen Ali and Sam Curran after Ashley Giles, England men’s director of cricket, hinted that they will not allow its players to miss international matches to play in the IPL.

Both Ali and Curran have been the key players for CSK with their all-round performances. Ali has whacked 206 runs at a strike rate of 157.25 to go with his 5 wickets while Curran is CSK’s leading wicket-taker so far in the season with 9 scalps.

“There could be a problem in the coming days that what happens to Moeen Ali and Sam Curran if England does not release their players, if they are selected in the England team. They will lose two of their three all-rounders,” the former opener stated.

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