IPL 2022: “CSK Would Be Regretting The Mistake” - Mohammad Kaif On Chennai’s Decision-making
Published - 09 May 2022, 04:55 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:06 AM
Former Indian player Mohammad Kaif feels the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lament their misstep to drop opener, Devon Conway, after only one match in IPL 2022.
The New Zealand left-hander made his IPL debut in the season opener when Chennai took on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 26 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He was excused for only three and in a split second dropped from the playing XI. Last month, he likewise left the bio-bubble for his wedding.
Conway got back in the game to the CSK playing XI against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Pune on May 1. He scored an unbeaten 85 and has carried on his incredible form into the next games also.
CSK Failed To Utilize Devon Conway: Mohammad Kaif
Naming Chennai’s choice to drop the Kiwi without allowing him a fair opportunity to show off his abilities as a mistake in decision making, Kaif told Sportskeeda:
“Conway was dropped after just one failure. The way he has been batting, CSK would be regretting the mistake. They had a very good player in the squad but couldn’t utilize him properly.”
Praising the 30-year-old, Kaif added:
“Conway is a class player. He has all kinds of strokes in his armory. He plays 360-angle shots, and the bowler doesn’t know what kind of stroke he is going to play.”
Conway carried on from his 85 against SRH with a battling 56 in a losing cause against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He was declared the Player of the Match for crushing 87 off 49 balls in CSK’s 91-run whipping of the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday, 8 May.
MS Dhoni As A Captain Makes A Big Difference: Mohammad Kaif
Conway’s comeback into the playing XI matched with MS Dhoni reclaiming the reins from Ravindra Jadeja. Kaif conceded that MSD’s return as a pioneer in a flash affects the fortunes of the group and opined:
“Dhoni as captain makes a big difference to CSK. When he walks out for the toss, it’s a different picture. The crowd gets right behind him. Even before the start, he makes an impact on the match.
CSK missed his leadership in the first phase. Dhoni has led the team to two wins in three games. He looked in control immediately after taking back the captaincy.”
In his first game since taking over as Chennai skipper, Dhoni drove the side to a 13-run prevail upon the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Pune. Chennai then in the next game went down to RCB by 13 runs before recuperating splendidly to pound Delhi on Sunday.
