Chennai Super Kings had a complete turnaround from the last IPL and dominated the league before IPL 2021 was halted amid the rise of the COVID19 cases. So much so, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has stated that the MS Dhoni-led side looked like champions it usually had been all these years.
CSK did not have a great IPL 2020, where they eventually finished seventh and were the first team to be knocked out of the race for a playoff spot. The franchise failed to find the winning rhythm and ended up in the second-last position on the points table with just six wins from 14 matches. It was the first time the three-time IPL champions failed to qualify for the playoffs in the history of the competition.
CSK looked like the champion – Sunil Gavaskar
However, they bounced back brilliantly this year and were placed second on the points table when the league was suspended. Despite making a losing start, the Yellow Brigade bounced back smoothly to showcase their usual game. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar seemed highly impressed with the performance delivered by MS Dhoni & Men as he lauded them for playing like champions.
“All the other teams were in top form with last year’s disappointing team, Chennai Super Kings, looking like the champion it usually had been all these years. There was a renewed energy about the team this time, though there were no major changes to its squad,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
Adding further, Sunil Gavaskar also pointed out in length what went right for Chennai Super Kings. The cricketer turned commentator believes that promoting Moeen Ali up the order was a masterstroke as he produced some spectacular knocks to stable the team’s batting order. He also lauded Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sam Curran for their blistering form.
“The promotion of Moeen Ali to the top of the order at No. 3 turned out to be a masterstroke as the left-handed batsman produced some blistering innings. The seasoned Faf du Plessis was in cracking form, too, and, along with the promising Ruturaj Gaikwad, gave the team some top starts.
“Sam Curran continues to impress and improve with every game and bids fair to be considered a proper all-rounder now. It’s the final overs’ bowling that the side needs to strengthen as was evident in the match against Mumbai when, despite scoring 218, it lost the game off the last ball,” Gavaskar stated.
