Ruturaj back in training
CSK batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad is back in training ahead of Tuesday's IPL game against Rajasthan Royals after clearing the two mandatory Covid-19 tests. “The first thing you wanna see on a Monday morning. Look who's back! Smiling face with heart-shaped eyes #Ruturaj #WhistlePodu #Yellove,” CSK posted on its Twitter handle on Monday along with a picture of the batsman.
Dhoni prefers all round players
CSK pacer Deepak Chahar has revealed skipper MS Dhoni prefers players who can contribute in all departments, especially in the shortest format of the game. “I think Dhoni prefers those who are good in all departments. He likes those who can contribute in batting, bowling and fielding. A bowler can have a bad day but he can change a match by grabbing a good catch or can win the batch with a six or a four,” Chahar told Aakash Chopra in his show Aakash Vaani. “If you look at our team, we have many players who are good in every department. T20 is a format that requires you to do everything. There are a lot of teams in the IPL which have a strong batting line-up or a strong bowling attack but they remain dependent on a few cricketers,” he said.
bumrah enjoys freedom under ro
India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah said the freedom he enjoys playing under Rohit Sharma's captaincy in Mumbai Indians set-up has been a huge confidence booster for him in his career. “For me, he (Rohit) has always given me the freedom, he has always told me to express yourself (myself), be whatever you want, be it any situation, take ownership of your own bowling, so that gives me a lot of confidence and a responsibility that I'm responsible for whatever I'm doing,” Bumrah said. “So that's a big thing for a captain because then he gives a bowler so much of confidence. He trusts you so much and he trusts the decisions that you will take and that's a very positive sign.”
Ashwin pain has settled down
Senior India off-spinner R Ashwin is hopeful of recovering from his shoulder injury as his pain has subsided considerably and the scan reports have been “encouraging” after a nasty fall during Delhi Capitals' IPL opener against KXIP. Ashwin endured dream and nightmare in a space of six deliveries as he scalped two KXIP batsmen and then suffered a jerk on his left shoulder trying to dive and stop a run. “I was in pain as I left the field last night, but the pain has settled down and the scan reports are pretty encouraging too. Thanks for all your love and support,” Ashwin tweeted.
Fleming hails Sam's attitude
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming is impressed with debutant Sam Curran's attitude and said his contribution in the IPL opener went a long way in covering the absence of star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who is recovering from an injury. Sam played an instrumental role in CSK's five-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians. After an economical spell with the ball, the 22-year-old scored a quick-fire 18 off just six balls to help his side start the campaign on a positive note. “Losing Dwayne (Bravo) was a big loss and Sam went a long way in filling that,” Fleming told the CSK website. “The things that impressed us with Sam is his attitude first and foremost, almost the harder it gets the better he gets, his all-round skill component and the fact that the captain was able to trust him straightaway to go in at a crucial time and hit the way he did.”
Hopefully will pull up well: Smith
Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer said it was difficult to comprehend the ebbs and flows of a roller coaster IPL match against KXIP which ended in a Super Over win for his side. “It was difficult to see the game turning in different directions. We are used to this. Even last season we faced these. KG is the winning performer, and the way Stoinis batted was game-changing,” Iyer said.