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Tag: csk

  • CSK should build their team around Ravindra Jadeja: Former England captain Michael Vaughan

    By IANS
    MUMBAI: Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) should build their team around Ravindra Jadeja considering his all-round abilities.

    “You may say that Dhoni will play for 2-3 more years but let’s be honest, he’s not gonna play a great deal after that. So you’ve got to start looking at who you can build a team around and to me, Ravindra Jadeja is the kind of cricketer that I would build my team around. I just think he’s that good with the ball, in the field, with the bat in hand, his mindset, his mentality is very good,” said Vaughan on Cricbuzz.

    Jadeja played a crucial role in CSK’s win over Rajasthan Royals on Monday. He took two wickets, including the all-important scalp of opener Jos Buttler and took four catches.

    “Jadeja for me is the kind of player to whom you can say ‘You’re going to bat at No.4 or 5, get in there early. We might even open the bowling with you, depending on who is batting We’ll put you in key fielding positions.’ He is ready for that. I think he is that good a cricketer,” Vaughan said.

    While there have been talks of CSK considering using England all-rounder Sam Curran as the focal point to build their future teams, Vaughan feels that Curran is too young for that kind of responsibility.

    “We were talking the others that are they (CSK) trying to build a team around Sam Curran but I think Sam’s too young and he’s not quite ready for that kind of mantle yet. 4-5 years down the line maybe but I think Sam Curran’s a better cricketer when he is under the radar. Just let him be. Don’t need to put too much pressure on him, he’ll deliver,” Vaughan said.

  • Moeen Ali​ is on fire, he’s enjoying batting at the top: CSK all-rounder Sam Curran

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Sam Curran has said that teammate Moeen Ali is really enjoying batting at the top for the franchise in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja took five wickets among themselves as CSK defended 188 runs against Rajasthan to go second at the points table of the Indian Premier League (IPL). CSK defeated Rajasthan Royals by 44 runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. For CSK, Sam Curran also returned with two wickets.

    “Very good. That first game we did not start well but we have talked lot these last couple of days and we executed really well with both bat and ball. It’s really nice to get two wins now and get some momentum. Moeen Ali is on fire, I think he is really enjoying batting at the top. He does that for his county team too in England. Ravindra Jadeja was excellent as well in the field and with the ball,” Sam Curran told Dwayne Bravo in a video posted on the official website of IPL.

    Earlier, Faf du Plessis and Ambati Rayudu scored at a firing rate before Dwayne Bravo’s 20 runs off 8 balls came handy in the death overs as CSK posted 188/9 in their allotted 20 overs. For CSK, Faf top-scored with an innings of 33 while for Rajasthan Royals, Chetan Sakariya returned with three wickets.

    “After losing the first game, we had a week off, we put a lot of thought and planning into our game. Back-to-back wins, the tournament will get harder as the game progresses,” said Bravo.

    CSK has now won two matches out of three and the side will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Wednesday here at the Wankhede Stadium.

  • Moeen Ali adding all-round aspect which we lacked last year: CSK’s Stephen Fleming

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming feels that England player Moeen Ali has strengthened the team as he brings all-round value to it, which was missed in the last IPL season.

    Fleming said Ali’s impressive batting at No.3 has been instrumental in the team getting good scores so far this season.

    “He is adding an all-round aspect to our game which we lacked last year,” Fleming said of Ali, who hit a quickfire 26 and returned with figures of 3/7 in CSK’s 45-run win over Rajasthan Royals on Monday night.

    “His contribution was just what we were looking for. We are absolutely happy with the way he has started,” Fleming said at the post-match press conference.

    The head coach said his team has not played “a good 20 overs with the bat” yet but still getting high scores.

    “I’m really excited about the way we are playing. The long resource we have, we’re using and we are pushing opposition hard. So we are playing a positive brand throughout,” the former New Zealand captain said.

    He said captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni would get better as he spends more time in the middle.

    Dhoni scored 18 off 17 balls after coming at number five.

    “Yes, his form is restoring, every time he gets some balls in the middle he’s going to get better and better,” Fleming said.

    “There will be opportunities where we would probably look to throw MS Dhoni up as with (Ravindra) Jadeja and others.”

    Fleming said because of the “many resources” his team has, it’s facing the challenge of managing the batting order.

    “At the moment we are just trying to be a solid order and look for simple parts of the game and what the conditions provide us in terms of how we can attack. “We know we have got a lot of batting and the way we are playing is really encouraging. We haven’t put together a perfect innings by any means but the skipper will be a big part of it going forward,” Fleming added.

    He said the team will continue to back opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (10) despite his struggles and failing for the third straight game.

  • AR Rahman dedicates ‘Chale Chalo’ from ‘Lagaan’ to CSK skipper MS Dhoni

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has dedicated ‘Chale Chalo’ from the movie Lagaan to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni as it motivates to play together. Rahman also dedicated the song ‘Mangta Hai Kya’ from the movie Rangeela to CSK all-rounder Suresh Raina.

    Speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Live, Rahman dedicated songs to CSK stars Dhoni and Raina, “I would like to dedicate the song ‘Chale Chalo’ from the movie Lagaan to MS Dhoni, as it motivates people to play cricket together. And for Suresh Raina, I would like to dedicate the song ‘Mangta Hai Kya’, because whenever I went to Bangalore, they were listening to a lot of songs from Rangeela.”

    Earlier in the day, former India batsman Gautam Gambhir said that Dhoni should bat at number four or five and not below that for his side.

    Dhoni generally comes in to bat at number 7 and in the first game against Delhi Capitals he failed to get going and got out for a two-ball duck. His side lost the game despite setting up a target of 189 as Shikhar Dhawan (85) and Prithvi Shaw (72) provided a flying start to the side and stitched a 138-run stand for the opening wicket.

    Speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Live, Gambhir said, “MS Dhoni should be batting higher, that’s what matters because ultimately people should start leading from the front. We keep mentioning this thing that a leader needs to lead from the front. You can’t be leading, when you’re batting at No.7. Yes, there are issues in their bowling line up.”

    Gautam further added that Dhoni is not as attacking as he used to be and it is better for him to bat up in the order and set his eyes on the ball. “Plus, he is not the MS Dhoni, which he used to be probably four or five years back, where he could just come in and start taking on the bowlers from the word go. For me, I think he needs to bat at number four/ five. Nothing below that,” Gambhir said.

    CSK will next play against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.

  • More fun for fans as Chennai Super Kings ties up with new video-sharing partners

    By IANS
    BENGALURU: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans can now also watch exclusive live streams and uploaded short videos of their favourite players on social media apps, Glance and Roposo.

    Glance, a leading lock screen content platform, and Roposo, which is a short-video sharing platform, announced on Sunday their partnership with CSK as their official ‘lock screen partner’ and official short-video app partner, respectively.

    The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team will be live streaming some special shows on Glance, and post original short videos on Roposo throughout the tournament.

    “Getting a top-tier team like CSK to be Glance and Roposo’s exclusive lock screen and short video partners is a testament to the popularity and reach of our platforms. With the CSK team all set to live stream their exclusive and original content, we are primed to offer the users of Glance and Roposo an unmatched experience throughout this year’s tournament,” said Bikash Chowdhury, vice-president, marketing (Glance).

    CSK have set up their official profile on Roposo and fans will soon be able to engage with some of their favourite players.

    As smartphone users shift towards digital platforms for content consumption, mobile ‘lock screen’ has emerged as one of the key mediums for content consumption in the country.

  • Chennai Super Kings’s yellow jersey is pride that I have cherished all my life: Suresh Raina

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Left-handed batsman Suresh Raina might have missed the IPL 2020 edition due to personal reasons, but he made a stunning comeback in the IPL 2021 season as he played a knock of 54 runs off just 36 balls against Delhi Capitals on Saturday.

    CSK might have lost the match against Delhi Capitals by seven wickets here at the Wankhede Stadium, but the fans were delighted as they got to see their ‘Chinna Thala’ Raina back.

    “It feels amazing to be back with MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings. It is always good to contribute to a side that has done so much for the players, who have done so much for every person. It is always good to be back and wear this yellow colour, it’s a pride that I have cherished all my life,” Raina said in a video posted on the official Twitter handle of CSK on Sunday.

    “A bit disappointed to lose the game, it could have been better, but like I said it is always to come back and do the Whistle Podu! It could have been better if we would have scored 15-20 runs more but I think we bowled better in the middle overs, in the next few days we will have a few good practice sessions where can we learn what to do better,” he added.

    Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw played knocks of 85 and 72 respectively to help Delhi Capitals chase down the target of 189 runs, set by the Dhoni-led team. The victory must have been very special for Rishabh Pant as it was his first game as Delhi Capitals’ captain.

    Earlier, Suresh Raina smashed a sensational fifty in his comeback game before Sam Curran’s masterclass in the death overs powered CSK to 188/7 in their 20 overs.

    After the game, Dhoni said that “a lot depended on dew” before praising his side’s batsmen for taking the team’s score to 188.

    “A lot depended on dew, and that factor played on our mind from the start and that’s why we wanted to get as many runs as possible. The batters did a good job to reach 188 because it was tacky until dew settled in 50 minutes later. We could have bowled slightly better, and if batters are hitting you over the fields, that’s fair enough,” Dhoni told hosts broadcasters Star Sports after the match.

    “The execution of the bowlers was poor and there were boundary balls that they bowled, but the bowlers will learn and apply that in the future games. The opposition has half an hour in a 7:30 start when the pitch is really tacky and the ball stops a bit, so we need to get 15-20 runs extra to be safe. If we get dew consistently, then 200 will be a must on a pitch like this. Their (Delhi) bowlers bowled a great line when it was stopping and seaming a bit, and the openers got really good balls in which they got out and that can happen in a game like this,” he added.

    CSK will now play against Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium on April 16.

  • Lungi Ngidi, Jason Behrendorff to miss game against Punjab Kings, confirms CSK coach Stephen Fleming

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed that pacer Lungi Ngidi and Jason Behrendorff will not be available for the side in the next game against Punjab Kings.

    “Ngidi won’t be available. He won’t be arriving for the next game. So losing Josh Hazlewood, which was the plan to have him available for these games is a blow simply as an option up front. Ngidi will be arriving soon. Behrendorff would be following that. [Bowling] it’s an area that we are probably short on. But we still look at the Indian bowlers and we have international bowler Sam Curran,” Fleming said in a post-match press conference.

    CSK suffered a seven-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals in their first match of the campaign on Saturday. Fleming backed the batters for guiding to a total of 188 despite losing the openers early in the game.

    Suresh Raina (54) smashed a sensational fifty in his comeback game before Sam Curran’s (34) masterclass in the death overs powered CSK to 188/7 in their 20 overs.

    “It wasn’t bad when you lose wickets a little bit early and still manages to get to 188, that’s pretty good going. So, the intent with the bat was pretty good. The conditions changed, dew and a little bit of rain made things difficult in the second innings. They played really well but 190 on this ground is still reasonably competitive we just needed to bowl better,” he said.

    CSK coach heaped praises on Raina and said his form is a positive side for the side.

    “It’s really good, considering the cricket and where he has come from. It was an outstanding innings. We put Moeen Ali up as an aggressor and also used Suresh’s aggressive role to get to play some cricket and find some form. But after playing 2-3 shots, he really got going. It’s a really positive sign for us. I liked the way we turned it on after losing wickets when the wicket was tacky. We just weren’t able to create chances with the ball, which is really disappointing,” Fleming said.

    On playing the first five matches at the same venue due to the Covid-19, Fleming feels that it is going to give a better understanding of the conditions to the side.

    “We will learn a lot from being here for another 4 games. But don’t underestimate how much it takes to change the philosophy of the team. We are very much a Chennai-based side,” Fleming said.

    “We saw Mumbai struggle to a degree in Chennai the other night. They have got a challenge on how to change their tactics in Chennai and our tactics have to be a little bit better with the ball in Mumbai. So, it’s one of the quirks of this competition in this Covid-19 age and we just have to find a way. It’s going to be high-scoring games in Mumbai and toss might play a big part,” he added.

    CSK will next take on Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium on April 16.

  • Losing Hazlewood a blow, Ngidi and Jason also not available for next game: Fleming

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Losing Josh Hazlewood was a big blow as it left the team bereft of overseas pace bowling options with Jason Behrendorff and South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi also not available for the next game, said Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming.

    Australia pacer Hazlewood had withdrawn at the last moment to keep himself fit for upcoming international assignments.

    Behrendorff was named his replacement last Friday and is yet to arrive, while Ngidi is serving his quarantine after returning midway from South Africa’s ODI series against Pakistan.

    “(Lungi) Ngidi won’t be available. He won’t be arriving in time for the next game.

    So losing Josh Hazlewood, which was the plan to have him available for these games, is a blow simply as an option upfront,” Fleming said in the post-match press conference.

    “Ngidi will be arriving soon. (Jason) Behrendorff would obviously be following that. Its (bowling) an area that we are probably short on.But we still look at the Indian bowlers and we have international bowler Sam Curran and probably expect a little bit more.”

    CSK went down by seven wickets in its opening match of IPL-14 after the Delhi Capitals chased down a target of 189 in the 19th over with openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan providing the platform with a rollicking century stand.

    One of the highlights of this edition is that all teams will play in neutral venues amid the rise in COVID-19 pandemic.

    Fleming pointed out that Mumbai Indians also struggled to adapt to Chennai conditions in the tournament opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday and said teams will have to find ways to adapt to neutral conditions.

    “We will learn a lot from being here for another 4 games. But don’t underestimate how much it takes to change the philosophy of a side. We are very much a Chennai-based side,” the CSK coach said.

    “We saw Mumbai struggle to a degree in Chennai the other night. They have got a challenge on how to change their tactics in Chennai and our tactics have to be a little bit better with the ball in Mumbai.

    So, it’s one of the quirks of this competition in this COVID-19 age and we just have to find a way,” he added.

    Fleming said “it’s going to be high-scoring games in Mumbai and toss might play a big part.”

    The former New Zealand skipper was full of praise for veteran Suresh Raina, who slammed a 36-ball 54 after returning to the IPL.

    “It’s really good, considering the cricket and where he has come from. It was an outstanding innings,” Fleming said.

    Raina had missed the 2020 edition of the IPL in the UAE owing to personal reasons.

    He was retained by CSK.

    “We put Moeen Ali up as an aggressor and also used Suresh’s aggressive role to get to play some cricket and find some form.

    But after playing 2-3 boundaries, he really got going.”

    Fleming said the way CSK made a comeback after losing early wickets is “a really positive sign for us.”

    “I liked the way we turned it on after losing wickets when the wicket was tacky. We got through that well. We just weren’t able to create chances with the ball, which is really disappointing,” he said. CSK recovered from 7 for 2 in 2.1 overs to post 188 for 7 against Delhi Capitals.

    “It wasn’t bad when you lose wickets a little bit early and still manage to get to 188, that’s pretty good going. So the intent with the bat was pretty good,” the CSK coach said.

    “The conditions changed, dew and a little bit of rain made things difficult in the second innings. They played really well but 190 on this ground is still reasonably competitive, we just needed to bowl better.”

  • Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff replaces compatriot Josh Hazlewood in CSK squad

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Australian fast bowler Jason Behrendorff will replace compatriot Josh Hazlewood in the Chennai Super Kings squad after the latter pulled out of the Indian Premier League, which begins in Chennai on Friday.

    The development was confirmed by the IPL organisers in a statement.

    Behrendorff, a left-arm pacer, has featured in 11 ODIs and seven T20Is for Australia so far.

    This is Behrendorff’s second IPL stint after having represented Mumbai Indians in 2019.

    He played five matches and picked up as many wickets at that time.

    Hazlewood had earlier decided to withdraw from the T20 cash-rich league to take a small break from cricket and keep himself fresh for the Ashes and the T20 World Cup later this year.

    Hazlewood, 30, played three games for CSK in the last season of IPL when the tournament was staged in the UAE in late 2020.

    CSK will open their IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday.

  • IPL 2021: It’s raining sixes at CSK nets as skipper MS Dhoni looks in ominous touch

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni would like to see his team get back to winning ways in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). One of the most successful IPL teams, CSK failed to reach the playoffs last year and Dhoni is leaving no stone unturned to make sure the side gets back to form ahead of the 14th edition.

    CSK on Monday shared a video from the team’s net session, where the former Indian skipper was seen whacking sixes all around the park. Dhoni fired on all cylinders as he muscled the ball in the nets during the practice session.

    “Thala Paraak fully loaded! #WhistlePodu #Yellove,” CSK captioned the post on Instagram.

    Dhoni has hit most sixes in the IPL for an Indian batsman. In 204 games, the CSK skipper has smashed 216 sixes while Chris Gayle with 349 maximums under his belt is leading the charts.

    Last week, batting coach Michael Hussey said CSK is a balanced squad as it has most bases covered to take on teams in the IPL.

    CSK picked up six players at the 2021 auction, headlined by off-spin bowling all-rounders Moeen Ali and Krishnappa Gowtham, after buying top-order batsman Robin Uthappa in a trade with Rajasthan Royals.

    “I think they are all excellent additions. Moeen is an excellent all-rounder, Robin has a lot of experience and has been a quality performer in the past and Gowtham has some genuine talent that we can look to develop further,” the CSK website quoted Hussey as saying.

    “I feel we have a very balanced squad that has most bases covered and with depth in most areas. The guys are in really good spirits and have been and are preparing extremely well,” he added

    The Super Kings are currently training in Mumbai where they play their first five matches of IPL-14 beginning with a game against Delhi Capitals on April 10.