Sam Curran’s short but significant cameo against Mumbai Indians (MI) took off the pressure from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to guide them to a five-wicket victory in Abu Dhabi in the lung-opener of the IPL 2020. But it was the witty decision of MS Dhoni to send Curran before himself which favoured them. The bowling all-rounder Sam was also surprised by the skipper’s decision and labelled him as a genius.
After the fall of Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu‘s wicket, CSK was under a little pressure because run per over was increasing. But Curran put that pressure back on MI with his two gigantic sixes and one boundary. He smacked 18 runs off six balls at the strike rate of 300.0.
After he lost the wicket, CSK needed 10 runs to win in two overs. Eventually, Faf du Plessis scored that winning runs and chased down 163 runs, winning by five wickets.
IPL 2020: MS Dhoni is a genius to think something like that – Sam Curran
In the post-match presentation, Sam Curran was surprised to know that he was in the playing XI. But he got more amazed about MS Dhoni’s decision to send him above the order.
“Very different. I have been used to the bubble with the England team. But you are used to seeing big crowds in IPL, so it was different. I haven’t met a lot of the guys, came in a day before and was straight on the bus today.
“That was a good thing. I was very surprised that I went in. He (Dhoni) is a genius and thought something (about sending me before himself). We targeted that over (18th) and I went in with a six or out mentality… sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn’t,” Sam Curran said.
Sam Curran had one of the best days of IPL in the season opener. The pacer was picked in place of Dwayne Bravo but fulfilled his role. In his four-over quota, he also picked one wicket and gave 28 runs.