Three former Chennai players who are performing well for their new franchise

Chennai  have not been able to make an impact this season. They have won just one of their six games so far and are languishing at the ninth position on the points table. One of the main reasons for their poor stint this season is their weak bowling attack. Chennai made some changes to their personnel this season but failed to retain some of their important players. Here are some of the players that Chennai let go in the 2022 season and are performing well for their new franchisees.

Faf du Plessis- Bangalore

Faf du Plessis was a great asset to Chennai. He played an influential role in their title-winning campaign last season. He scored 633 runs in the last season, and was the second-highest run-scorer of the 2021-edition. He lost the Orange Cap to his opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad. The two were very vital for the team together, but Chennai decided to let go of Faf. Bangalore took on this opportunity and purchased him at the mega auction. He was appointed as their captain for the season. The 37-year old has played with good composure this season.

In the seven matches that he has played, Du Plessis has scored 250 runs at a strike rate of 132. These also includes two half-centuries. He scored 88 runs in the season opener against Punjab and 96 runs against Lucknow. He is currently Bangalore’s highest run-scorer.

Josh Hazlewood- Bangalore

Josh Hazlewood, a part of the Chennai team in 2021, did not have the best time for the team during the previous year. He played nine games for the men in yellow in 2021 and picked up just 11 wickets at an economy of 8.37. As a result, the defending champions did not buy him in the mega auction for the 15th edition. Bangalore, however, was interested in him, and they added him to their squad.

The pacer has played three games for the team so far, and has eight wickets in the season already. He ended the game against Lucknow with a four-wicket haul, putting him second on Bangalore’s list of highest wicket-takers of the season. He also has been very economical by conceding just 7.16 runs per over.

Krishnappa Gowtham- Lucknow

Last season, Chennai paid a hefty price for Krishnappa Gowtham. The men in yellow spent a fee of 9.25 crores for him, making Gowtham the most expensive uncapped player at the time. Despite paying a high price for him, Chennai didn’t use him in a single game. He was eventually released by the franchise ahead of the 2022 season, and the league’s debutants bought him at the mega auction for 90 lakhs.

The all-rounder has only played two games in the season so far, but he did the job for the team with the ball. The 33- year old has picked up three wickets at an economy of 6.63 in the tournament so far. He has not had the chance to bat much, but has an overall strike rate of 167.57 in the Indian T20 League. Thus, he can be handy with the bat.