Three changes Chennai needs to do to win against Punjab
Chennai (image source :BCCI)
The defending champions of the Indian T20 League, Chennai have begun their journey in the 15th edition of the tournament with two defeats in the first two matches. Their shaky start to the tournament has put the fans in doubt about Chennai’s chances of defending their title.
In the first match against Kolkata, Chennai looked shaky with the bat. Except for MS Dhoni’s brilliant half-century off 28 deliveries, there was no other positive for the team to take in case of their batting effort. They put up a below-par total of 131 runs which Kolkata chased down very easily. While in the second match it was the death-bowling of the team that faltered. Even after putting up a formidable total of 210 runs on the board, Chennai lost the match to Lucknow. The team now has to address its issues quickly to return to winning ways quickly. Here are three changes Chennai can do to turn its fortunes.
1. Rajvardhan Hangrekar for Shivam Dube: Shivam Dube appears more of a batter who can bowl a bit. His skills in bowling were severely tested in the match against Lucknow. Chennai ran out of options and was forced to use Dube in the all-important penultimate over of the match. He ended up giving 25 runs in the over which led to Chennai’s defeat. It appears that Chennai needs a bowling all-rounder, who could bowl a useful spell of 2-3 overs and also contribute with the bat when needed. They have Rajvardhan Hangrekar on their bench, whom they can use in the next match and see how things go.
2. Chris Jordan for Mukesh Choudhary: Chennai is missing Deepak Chahar’s presence in the first eleven. As the opening bowlers are conceding runs at a high economy rate at the beginning, the team is being forced to bring Dwayne Bravo into the attack much earlier than they would like to. As a result, they are running out of options to use in pressure situations at the death of the innings. The presence of Chris Jordan in the squad will give Chennai an option to turn to in the death overs. Mukesh Choudhary appeared more of new ball bowler, but Jordan could be useful for the team both at the beginning and the end of the innings.
3. Devon Conway for Dwaine Pretorius: In the two matches that Chennai have played they used two different opening pairs. In the first match, they went with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, while in the second match they used Robin Uthappa with Gaikwad. Chennai needs to settle down with a pair and give them a few chances at the top of the order. Devon Conway has an average of 50 in T20Is, using him will give them solidity at the start. If Devon Conway opens with Gaikwad, that would mean that Uthappa will come in at number 3, giving the middle order solidity and flexibility. Pretorius was good with the ball but if Hangrekar comes in he could play the same role as Pretorius. So, at least for one match Chennai can try this combination.
