Former Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma slammed Chennai Super Kings’ bowlers after they suffered a five-wicket loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Monday.
Sharma said CSK bowlers did not learn anything from the first innings when they were defending a target of 181. CSK were able to put themselves in front as Mukesh Choudhary got the early wicket of Travis Head and SRH could only manage 45 runs in the Powerplay overs.
Abhishek Sharma was dismissed soon after as SRH were left reeling at 56-2 after 7.4 overs. However, Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan were able to steady the ship for the Orange Army. The duo added 75 runs off 41 balls to get SRH close to the target.
“Ishan Kishan’s partnership with Heinrich Klaasen was significant in this match. Both of them are big players, but at the same time, I would say that CSK did not learn anything from the first innings, the way with which the CSK bowlers should have followed the plan, the way the surface should have been used, it did not happen,” Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.
“The way SRH used the slower ball, up to 60-65 percent of their deliveries were like that, which was difficult for you guys to play on your home ground. Instead, you are trying to go for yorkers. On a slow wicket, you try to remain on length as much as possible. I understand that yorkers might be your strength, but Mukesh and Anshul are both capable of bowling cutters. If they had bowled according to the surface, they could have made life difficult for SRH batters, and could have turned the match in CSK’s favor,” he continued.
Sharma questioned CSK bowlers for not using slower deliveries in the second innings after Pat Cummins found success with a similar tactic.
“This was my type of wicket, and I know what type of variations can be used here. This was such a wicket where your plan should have been simple, you don’t need to think too much at all. So, atleast stick to the plan. It felt weird seeing them go off the plan. If a bowler like Pat Cummins, who bowls at 150 kmph, can come in and bowl cutters, you also have to accept and be proactive,” he said.
CSK will next take on Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday.
