IPL 2021: CSK continue to be the best team tactically in the competition – Scott Styris

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes Chennai Super Kings continue to be the best team tactically in the IPL. Chennai is led by MS Dhoni, who is known for his astute captaincy. The franchise had a poor season in IPL 2020 as they could only manage six wins out of the 14 matches they played.

Thus, they couldn’t reach the playoff stages for the first time in the history of the league. However, they made a roaring comeback in IPL 2021 as they won five out of the seven matches, before the tournament was suspended indefinitely.

CSK came up with a collective effort and MS Dhoni was once again able to get the best out of his team. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Ravindra Jadeja and Deepak Chahar played a crucial role in the success of the team.

“I was incredibly impressed by the leadership shown by MS Dhoni, as much for what they did off the field as he did on the field. He knew if they tried to repeat what happened last year, it wouldn’t have worked. So they made changes, so incredibly smart and I think they [CSK] continue tactically to be the best in the competition,” said Styris on Star Sports.

Styris lauded the opening bowling pair of Deepak Chahar and Sam Curran who both got the ball to move both ways and breathed down the neck of the opposition batsmen. Chahar scalped eight wickets in seven matches (two four-wicket hauls) whereas Curran snared nine wickets in seven games. Thus, both of them played a key role for CSK in the powerplay overs and kept the opposition on leash.

“You pick up wickets early, it is a different ball game. They can really squeeze you and strangle you through those middle overs in particular. Sam Curran has a role to play in that with his ability to swing the ball in that one direction, Deepak Chahar on the other. I think they form a really good partnership together,” added Styris. 

Styris believes Ravindra Jadeja has to be CSK’s MVP if they are to go all the way in the tournament. Jadeja has been in sublime form and he had scored a fine knock of 62 runs off just 28 balls against RCB and had scalped four wickets in that game.

“I like the role Jadeja was playing for the CSK side and I believe if they are to win this year, he needs to be their MVP,” said Styris. 

“We have seen Jadeja move higher up in the batting order, we have always known about his fielding skills. He is probably the best in the world with his fielding, especially with his ability to throw down the stumps. His bowling is always a bankable four overs and he is starting to pick up more and more wickets,” observed Styris.