Former SRH head coach Tom Moody believes Chennai Super Kings will face challenges outside their home conditions where the pitch might not favour their spinners. The four-time champions will take on the defending champions Gujarat Titans in their opening game on Friday.
Chepauk has been the fortress for CSK over the years and it is difficult for visiting team to beat them. Speaking to Espncricinfo, Tom Moody feels that visiting teams will find it challenging to beat Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk as they have a quality spinner in their lineup.
“No that is the big issue, their ability to shut teams down. I don’t think it will be the biggest issue at home because of what we have historically seen which is turning tracks. You can expect at least 12 overs of spin looking at their side with Theekshana, Jadeja, and Moeen Ali. So when it is requiring a death bowler in those conditions, it is harder to score in the back 10 overs than in the front 10 overs,” Tom Moody said.
The Chennai-based franchise has the players to make use of the spin-friendly conditions with the likes of Maheesh Theekshana, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mitchell Santer.
Tom Moody reckoned that CSK might face challenges outside their home conditions, as they don’t have quality fast bowlers to finish the game. It will be interesting to see, how MS Dhoni rotates his players according to the playing conditions
“At home they are okay, but it is when they travel, outside Chennai, which will be a challenge without any player who stands out in death bowling. What they could do is look to use that sub-rule with the overseas player depending on whether they are batting or bowling first,” Tom Moody said.
CSK will be relieved by the arrival of their power-play specialist Deepak Chahar who missed out on the last season due to an injury. The Chennai-based franchise will look to make comeback in the season after a poor season in 2022 where they finished 9th in the points table.
Will Chennai Super Kings Win Their 5th Title In IPL 2023?
Chennai Super Kings had a solid preparation for this edition of IPL 2023 in Chepauk. MS Dhoni will be leading CSK in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The former Indian Skipper has been playing for CSK since 2008 and has won four titles from them. The 41-year-old will look to end his career on high with Chennai Super Kings.
CSK are known for making brilliant comebacks as they won the IPL 2018 after returning to the Indian Premiere League after being suspended for two years in 2016 and 2017. They will look to make comeback under the inspiring leadership of their skipper MS Dhoni in 2023. CSK will be without the services of Sisanda Magala for their opening game against Gujarat Titans in their opening game.