News Analysis India

Tag: Lungi Ngidi

  • 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.

  • IPL 2021: Lungi Ngidi will fill Josh Hazlewood’s void, CSK look fairly strong, says Brad Hogg

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg on Thursday said that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) do not need to worry about Josh Hazlewood pulling out of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) as they also have Lungi Ngidi in their squad.

    Hazlewood decided to pull out of this year’s IPL citing bubble fatigue and he also said that he wants to spend more time with his family.

    “CSK had a brilliant bowling line up with Hazlewood in it, but one man doesn’t make a team, Ngidi will fill that void with the Australian pulling out. #CSK looking fairly strong this year. #IPL2021,” tweeted Hogg.

    Hazlewood was set to depart for India with Australia’s IPL-bound players today, but the pacer has decided to give this year’s IPL a miss in order to spend some time with his family.

    “It’s been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home and in Australia in the next two months. We’ve got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh T20 tour potentially thrown on the end of that,” cricket.com.au quoted Hazlewood as saying.

    “Then potentially the T20 World Cup leading into the Ashes, so it’s a big 12 months, as it always is with Australia, and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that. That’s the decision I’ve made, and it sits pretty well with me,” he added.

    Hazlewood had played just three games for CSK in IPL 2020 and this year, he would have been competing with Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Lungi Ngidi and Dwayne Bravo for a spot in the playing XI.

    IPL 2021 is slated to commence on April 9 with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) locking horns in the tournament opener. CSK will play its first match on April 10 against Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

    Dhoni has led CSK to IPL title thrice (2010, 2011, and 2018). The franchise had finished at the seventh spot last season and it was the first time, that the side failed to qualify for the playoffs.