Chennai Super Kings got back to winning ways on Tuesday, overcoming Sunrisers Hyderabad by 20 runs and remaining alive in the IPL 2020. While there were a few individual commitments from their players, one that stands apart is Sam Curran's 31 off 21 balls as opener. The England all-rounder has been advanced up the request on two or three events prior in the season, and did what was asked of him opening the innings against SRH in Dubai.
With Faf du Plessis excused for a first-ball duck, Curran pursued the SRH bowling, striking three fours and two sixes in his blustery thump. Afterward, with the ball, Curran got 1/18 from his four overs, the wicket of SRH commander David Warner to cover off a critical counterpart for the 22-year-old. Dazzled by what he saw, MS Dhoni complimented Curran, considering him a 'total cricketer' for CSK.
“A lot depended on the fast bowlers. I just told them to be expressive on the field and hit their areas. There are some two paced balls, some swing and some don’t swing, some get extra bounce. What was needed was good execution of the plans and that was done by the fast bowlers,” Dhoni said after the match.
“We used an extra spinner because an Indian batter hasn’t done well for us. That’s why Sam Curran went up and it wasn’t fair on Jagadeesan as well to bat at seven or eight. Sam Curran is a complete cricketer for us. You need a seaming all-rounder, he plays the spinners well and he can give us those 15-45 runs.”
Dhoni was incredulous of his batsmen in the past two games when the group neglected to finish off matches, however on Tuesday night, the CSK captain had no motivations to gripe. Dhoni was content seeing his bowlers work, who joined to hold SRH to 147/8 in pursue of 168.
“Ultimately what really matters is you getting two points. What T20s have shown is that there are a few games that don’t go your way and then there are some that go your way even when you haven’t earned it. Today I felt we did a very good job even in the batting. There was some purpose with the bat and the batsmen assessed the situation very well,” Dhoni said.
“With a total like 160, it all depends on the start you get in the first six overs. The fast bowlers did the job, the spinners came into play and it was one game that was as close to being perfect. It was a par score and I usually assess scores after the first six overs. If there are mis-fields in the first six overs then a par score becomes an under-par score.”