IPL 2021: Massive Boost To Chennai Super Kings Ahead Of Their Next Match

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have finally shed the demons of their performance in IPL 2020 in the UAE and are currently on the top spot in the IPL 2021 points table. The MS Dhoni-led team has won four out of five matches and has 8 points to their name.

Chennai smashed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the last match thanks to an all-around performance from Ravindra Jadeja, who made 62* and picked 3/13 and effected a run-out as well. He even smashed Harshal Patel for an IPL record 37 runs in the 20^th over, hitting him for 5 sixes and one four in the process.

However, the team has started on a difficult note when their Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood opted out of the IPL 2021 in India citing bubble fatigue, and wanted to play Sheffield Shield cricket. This meant that CSK had to find a replacement and despite getting negative replies from a couple of bowlers they approached, CSK finally found a replacement.

Jason Behrendorff Out Of Quarantine

They decided to sign up another Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood and also got a left-arm seamer to bring variety into their right-handed fast bowling department.

Behrendorff previously played in the Indian Premier League for the Mumbai Indians in the 2019 edition of the tournament. He played five matches for MI and picked 5 wickets. He was actually picked by the MI team in IPL 2018 auction but was ruled out with a back injury before the tournament started.

Behrendorff had arrived in India on April 19 and had to undergo a mandatory 7-day quarantine process in the team hotel. He recently posted a photo of himself outside, signaling that his quarantine was over and he was to being training shortly.

This will be a huge boost to the CSK team, who despite having a good bowling department have some trouble with their pacers with Shardul Thakur proving to be highly expensive. Behrendorff also has the ability to bring variations in his bowling and with CSK playing the rest of their games in Delhi, might come in handy.

Chennai Super Kings will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 28 in Delhi.

Also Read: Chris Lynn Urges Cricket Australia To Arrange A Private Charter Flight For Its Players To Return Home After IPL 2021