IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra analyses the area of weakness for CSK in the tournament

Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer, reckons that Chennai Super Kings had a grey area in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League as far as their death bowling was concerned. Though MS Dhoni and Co found themselves at the top of the points table, their bowlers were put under pressure in a few games.

Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik and Pat Cummins took out the long handle against them, though the Super Kings came out trumps at the Wankhede Stadium. However, Mumbai Indians slapped them with a defeat after chasing over 15 runs per over in the last eight overs or so at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Chopra feels that the Yellow Army didn’t make optimum utilisation of Dwayne Bravo and Jason Behrendorff. The veteran also said that Lungi Ngidi isn’t an out-and-out death bowler as Kieron Pollard took him to the cleaners in New Delhi.

“The only weakness that was seen in CSK was their death bowling. They do not have an express bowler for the death overs. Other than that, it has been a perfect campaign till now where it is not possible to find a negative,” Chopra was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

“They kept Dwayne Bravo with themselves but didn’t give him too many opportunities. Ngidi is not your typical death bowler, we saw him in front of Pollard. They did not play Jason Behrendorff at all although he was in the squad because Hazlewood did not come. It is possible Hazlewood might come now,” he added.

Aakash Chopra forecasts trouble for CSK

As per Chopra, CSK may face troubles if Sam Curran and Moeen Ali miss out if and when the remaining matches of IPL 2021 take place. Earlier, Ashely Giles, England men’s director of cricket, stated that the Brits’ players need to be available for the international games. Ali and Curran performed for the Super Kings with both bat and ball.

“There could be a problem in the coming days that what happens to Moeen Ali and Sam Curran if England does not release their players if they are selected in the England team. They will lose two of their three all-rounders,” Chopra added.