Aakash Chopra Analyses The Factors That Contributed To CSK’s Victory Over Mumbai Indians In IPL 2020 Opener

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra analysed Chennai Super Kings’ victory over Mumbai Indians in the inaugural game of IPL 2020. Defending champions Mumbai Indians suffered a five-wicket loss to their nemesis in Abu Dhabi after an underwhelming batting performance. Aakash Chopra opened up on spinner Piyush Chawla’s performance that kept Mumbai to 162.

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After playing for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders, Piyush Chawla played his first game for CSK on Saturday. He made the first breakthrough in the form of Rohit Sharma following his 46-run stand along with Quinton De Kock. Ambati Rayudu and Faf Du Plessis struck half-centuries following openers falling cheaply to Trent Boult and James Pattinson to guide Chennai over the line with five wickets to spare.

Aakash Chopra began with praising Ambati Rayudu, who he believes is quite effective and showed that three-dimensional skills are not essential. The 42-year old feels that Rayudu displayed his relevance by scoring a match-winning knock.

“Ambati Rayudu may not be a three-dimensional player, but he showed that he is very effective in the one dimension he has. He showed the selectors that three-dimensional skills are not necessary. He showed that he is still relevant, can still score runs and can win matches,” the 42-year old told in his Youtube channel.

Chopra highlighted the 34-year old as a massive difference and batted with a positive mindset. He underlined how Trent Boult and James Pattinson kept things tight in the first five overs following which Rayudu began to cut loose himself and batted for a long time.

“He was a huge difference between the two sides. The way he batted at the beginning, with a very positive mindset. Mumbai Indians with Trent Boult and James Pattinson had kept CSK on a tight leash in the first 5 overs and that’s when Ambati Rayudu suddenly cut loose and batted for a long time,” Aakash Chopra claimed.

“The spin department was the other big difference between the two sides” : Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Chennai’s spin department was easily better than Mumbai’s spinning attack. He stated that both teams played their ace fast bowlers; however, Piyush Chawla proved as the difference. Chennai play their next match against Rajasthan Royals on the 22nd of September while Mumbai lock horns against Kolkata Knight Riders on the very next day.

“The spin department was the other big difference between the two sides. We were repeatedly saying that the Mumbai Indians’ spin department could trouble them while Chennai Super Kings have a great spin attack. But both the teams played more fast bowlers, on one side we had Bumrah, Boult and Pattinson and on the other side we had Deepak Chahar, Sam Curran and Ngidi. But it was the spin in the end and Piyush Chawla was the difference,” he added.

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