Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels Chennai Super Kings will heavily rely on overseas spinners as Ravindra Jadeja is the solitary experienced Indian spinner in their squad. Jadeja scalped 20 wickets in 16 matches in the previous season of the IPL and played a key role in taking the team to glory.
On the other hand, Maheesh Theekshana and Moeen Ali scalped 11 and 9 wickets respectively for CSK in the last edition. Meanwhile, the Chennai track is a paradise for the spinners and the CSK spin battery will have a key role to play in their team’s success as they don’t have a lot of experience in their pace attack.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Chennai have an entire overseas spin department barring Ravindra Jadeja. If we see Ravindra Jadeja in T20 cricket, especially in the IPL, Mahi (MS Dhoni) gets the best out of him. He is absolutely brilliant in Chennai when the ball turns, as it did in the World Cup.”
With Devon Conway ruled out of the upcoming IPL until May due to a thumb injury, Chopra feels Rachin Ravindra can also contribute with the ball if he gets a place in the final XI.
“They have Maheesh Theekshana, who they play and bowl for sure. They have Moeen Ali, who they play and get to bowl. They have Mitchell Santner as well, who they play and get to bowl. If they wish to play Rachin Ravindra in place of Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra becomes another left-arm spin option,” Chopra stated.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator feels Punjab Kings’ spin attack is very cold. PBKS has spinners like Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Liam Livingstone, and Sikandar Raza.
“If I go towards Punjab, they actually look slightly cold. Rahul Chahar is there for sure. You get a little leg-spin from Liam Livingstone, off-spin from Sikandar Raza, and left-arm spin from Harpreet Brar.”
“It’s not the greatest. When I look towards Punjab, I don’t see that much dominance of spinners. They look slightly lighter on the spinning side. I have a lot of respect for them but I don’t like their spin too much,” the former KKR player stated.
CSK will begin their title defense against RCB on March 22 at Chennai whereas PBKS will face Delhi Capitals at Mohali on March 23.
