Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach, Eric Simons, remained unfazed by the middle-order’s recent struggles, emphasizing that occasional setbacks are not a major concern.
Despite a fluctuating season for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, their middle order, spearheaded by Shivam Dube, had been a consistent performer, alleviating pressure from other batsmen. However, Dube’s recent dip in form, marked by two consecutive golden ducks, has raised concerns. Nevertheless, the team remains composed.
Bowling coach Eric Simons addressed Dube’s form, asserting that occasional blips are not alarming, given the middle order’s overall reliability. He emphasized the team’s confidence in their quality and resilience, acknowledging that while Dube’s recent performances may not meet expectations, they anticipate a resurgence moving forward.
“I don’t think that’s a problem when you have a blip once or twice. That [middle-order] has been our strength. Dube has been incredible but he got out early twice now and that happens. The guys fought hard on the other side and got us to a decent total that we could defend. I think we won’t be over concerned about the middle-order. We know the quality is there and it might not have happened in this game. But as we move forward, we hope to fire again,” Simons said after CSK’s 28-run win over PBKS.
“To get the wickets that did was magical. So, it’s important to make sure that the whole squad is ready because we never know when we are gonna call them,” he added.
READ ALSO | ‘MS Dhoni Shouldn’t Play At No. 9, He Has Let Down His Team’: Harbhajan Singh
On the match front, CSK had a promising start against Punjab Kings but a middle-order stumble restricted them to 167/9, falling short of their target. Despite the setback, Player of the Match Ravindra Jadeja acknowledged they were 15-20 runs shy but credited their all-round bowling effort, including his three-wicket haul. Jadeja highlighted the challenge of a slow wicket in the day game, affecting their batting momentum. Despite striving for partnerships, CSK couldn’t accelerate in the final overs. However, CSK’s bowling unit, led by Tushar Deshpande and Jadeja himself, performed admirably in containing the opposition.
Looking ahead, CSK will aim to regroup during the four-day break before facing Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals, followed by a crucial match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Last Updated on May 6, 2024
Senior Sports Copywriter
