IPL 2021: ‘I did not have a lot of confidence in CSK, to be perfectly honest,’ acknowledges Scott Styris

IPL 2021: ‘I did not have a lot of confidence in CSK, to be perfectly honest,’ acknowledges Scott Styris

Scott Styris and Chennai Super Kings

Former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris admitted that he didn’t have a lot of confidence in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the start of IPL 2021. 

The MS Dhoni-led side had a forgettable season during the last IPL edition where they finished at the seventh spot in the Points Table. However, CSK made a terrific comeback in the 14th edition of the tournament as they had five wins in seven matches before the tournament got suspended. 

The Kiwi cricketer-turned-commentator mentioned that the team management took an intelligent decision of dropping Suresh Raina and Amabati Rayudu in the batting order as they don’t play much cricket now.

“The resurgence of CSK after last year proved that it was just a blip. I did not have a lot of confidence in them, to be perfectly honest. But they are an intelligent franchise and they made some smart decisions,” said Styris.

“They dropped Raina and Rayudu down a spot, I know Raina wasn’t there last year but he has been a key at No.3 for them. As they are getting older and playing a little less cricket, they made that decision,” added Styris.

‘CSK’s middle order was suspect last year’: Styris

Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali turned out to be a vital cog in Chennai’s middle order

Scott Styris said that English all-rounder Moeen Ali solved Chennai’s vows in the middle-order. He added that the Chennai-based franchise lacked solidity at their middle-order in IPL 2020 which resulted in their early exit from the tournament.

“The smartest buy arguably in the auction as well with Moeen Ali to come in and play well at No.3. That middle order was suspect last year and I think was the reason they weren’t able to make the playoffs for the first time,” said Styris.

“They solidified it and assured it up and then they just made the decision to out-bat everybody in this tournament and that’s the reason for their winning and coming back,” signed off Styris.

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