Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth slammed Anshul Kamboj’s performance after Chennai Super Kings suffered a 89-run loss against Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday. Kamboj returned with expensive figures of 1-56 in his quota of four overs as he was taken to the cleaners by GT’s top three batters – Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler.
GT posted an above-par score of 229 runs on the board after CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad decided to bowl first.
Overall, Kamboj conceded a total of 530 runs in 14 matches at a high economy rate of 10.52.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “Anshul Kamboj was impressive in the first half of the season. But in the end, instead of scoring 500 runs with the bat, he has conceded over 500 with the ball. He got intimidated after getting smashed in the LSG match. Ever since, his legs and hands are both gone, and he’s not able to bowl.”
The former Indian captain also slammed CSK’s selection and performance against GT.
“It was a pathetic performance by CSK. The approach and everything was pathetic in this match. There was no reason to drop Akeal Hosein. He should have played. They replace him with Matthew Short, who doesn’t score wherever he bats, opening or middle-order. Throw him out of the side, he’s a waste. Same with Spencer Johnson, who was moved from Australia’s hospital to a hospital here. He was smashed everywhere.”
The 1983 World Cup-winning player also questioned Sanju Samson’s consistency. Samson was dismissed for a golden duck against GT and scored 477 runs in 14 matches at an average of 43.36 and a strike rate of 165.62.
“Everyone keeps praising Sanju Samson as great. But this is the eighth time he is getting out caught behind. Bowlers are bowling the same length and removing him. He has to address that. Also, he has scored in only four out of the 14 matches. He’s your prime player,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
“Yes, everyone will say average 43 and strike rate 165. But for a player like Sanju Samson and his track record and the way he is regarded as such a big thing, I would expect him to score in 7 out of 14 matches. That’s the difference between Shubman Gill, Sai Sudarshan, Jos Buttler, and Sanju Samson. They all score much more consistently than Samson.”
CSK will aim to bounce back strongly in the next season.
