On the eve of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) game, assistant coach for Dinesh Karthik-led KKR Simon Katich believes CSK skipper MS Dhoni is peaking at the right time. However, the impending game will pose a threat from both sides while considering the different traits.
Katich has hailed Dhoni for his strategy against distinct options.
“He’s so well-prepared in terms of, you know, there’s a lot of thought that’s put into the team that you come up against. He’s very clever in the way he uses his bowlers, even the field positions. We were completely outplayed in Chennai,” Katich told reporters at Eden Gardens.
Earlier, CSK won the game by seven wickets while overhauling the target of 109 in 17.2 overs. However, in that particular game, Dhoni couldn’t bat as Faf du Plessis alongside Kedar Jadhav had finished a game early for the Chennai-based franchise.
MS Dhoni is a class act:
Concurrently, Dhoni is on the 13th spot of this year’s highest run-getters list, for the IPL. He has amassed 214 runs in five innings at an average of 107. Apart from his strike-rate of 127.38, Dhoni has slammed 12 fours and nine sixes to his name.
Earlier, Dhoni has made use of his resources astutely to sit on the top of the IPL 2019 points table.
So far, CSK has bagged 12 points in seven games as their solitary loss came against Mumbai Indians (MI) by 37 runs at Wankhede.
During the game, CSK was tottering at 24 for four before Dhoni stitched a crucial partnership of 95 runs for the fifth wicket against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
However, visitors won the thriller when Mitchell Santner smoked a six off the last ball of 20th over in Jaipur. Dhoni has slammed 43-ball 58 with the help of three sixes and two fours.
Katich added Dhoni has been an astute cricket brain who introduced Santner against Royals, who had as many as five right-handers. So much so, Katich remarked they must think over similar lines as Dhoni does.
“Even the last game they played against Rajasthan, Harbhajan has been bowling beautifully, but he doesn’t play because they have five right-handers in their top order and he brings in Santner who did a good job for them. So, he’s very clever in the way he goes about it, and we probably need to take a leaf out of that book,” Katich stated.
Simon Katich on Eden Gardens Surface:
In conclusion, Katich revealed Eden Gardens is a placid surface. However, he’s keen to see how Dhoni would react after accessing the conditions of the pitch.
“The wicket has been an absolute belter to bat on, it’s been high-scoring, quick outfield. All the batsmen have certainly enjoyed it out there. Spinners are finding it hard work. It’s quite an easy-paced wicket. We’ll have to see what the master, Dhoni, goes in with tomorrow. He seems to pull the right strings at the right time,” Katich concluded.
Recently, Chepauk surface has offered assistance to the spinners.