The Two-Year Hiatus For CSK Will Increase Its Value Like It Did For Manchester United After Munich Disaster: R Aswhin
Nov 26, 2018 at 12:38 PM
Contrary to the popular speculation, Ravichandran Ashwin feels the two-year absence from the Indian Premier League will increase Chennai Super Kings’ value.
The two-time IPL champions along with inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals were suspended for a couple of years in 2015 after some of their owners were charged for corruption by the Supreme Court. And although it is widely speculated that the Super Kings would find it tough to replicate their past exploits, Ashwin has come up with another interesting remark. Ashwin was with the franchise for all the eight season before the suspension and was the main bowler of the team, picking up 120 wickets from 121 outings at an economy of 6.66.
Comparing CSK’s two-year absence with the Munich air disaster when 23 passengers died out of which 7 were Manchester United players. Another United player died later in a hospital. But the football club recovered remarkably well and is now the most successful English football club. And Ashwin is hoping a similar kind of comeback for the Chennai-based franchise.
“I think the two-year hiatus for CSK probably increases its value much like what it did for Manchester United when the air crash happened (in 1958 when eight of their players died). I don’t know if it’s in the same league but surely people in Chennai and fans across the world are waiting for CSK to return. I hope it turns out to be a good comeback,” said Ashwin.
Super Kings are one of the most successful teams in the history of the league. The only team which has defended its IPL title so far, Chennai Super Kings have won the league twice-2010 and 2011 in addition to making it to the summit clash on four different occasions including the inaugural season. They have also won the now-scrapped Champions League T20 twice.
Ashwin was India’s standout bowler during the 13-Test long home series where he picked up an astonishing 82 wickets. However, he failed to replicate his performance in the Champions Trophy and tried to experiment with his bowling action during the recently-concluded series in West Indies.
Speaking about that he remarked: “Ever since I started, this is my 10th bowling action. I don’t think you should really ask me what the purpose behind it is. Probably, a year or two later we will be in a situation to sit and scrutinize as to whether it worked or not. Yes, I am open to change and you can just about expect anything from me.”
Ashwin also had a funny take on the new batting specifications that would be introduced from October 1. The new rules are certainly going to cause a worry for the hard-hitters but the off-spinner looked a bit delighted with it.
“It will be funny with the power-hitters hitting the ball and all of a sudden getting caught at mid-on or mid-off position. I don’t know if it will make that much of a difference but these mistimed lobbing over the field (may not happen). Unless I see it on the field I can’t comment. The umpires I have spoken to felt the new specifications will make a difference, but those umpires were all bowlers,” said Ashwin.