CSK’S Wood lauds Dhoni and Bravo

“I think learning to cope in pressure situations can only help. And picking the brains of some of the legends of the game... MS Dhoni as my captain will provide a great insight and I would love to work with (Dwayne) Bravo and develop my slower ball,” the 28-year-old Wood said. 

“It will be an immensely proud moment for me to play for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL,” the England fast bowler said.  

“Not only is the IPL a great competition but I also get to play for the best team! Who wouldn’t want that? I’m very lucky and hope to be a match-winner for my team,” added the highly-rated Durham bowler, who regularly clocks 140kmph. 

The Lions won the IPL twice, finished runners-up on four occasions and qualified to the Playoffs in all eight seasons between 2008 and 2015 to emerge as one of the most successful franchises in the competition. If one goes by the genuine pace that Wood generated during the ODI series in Australia in early 2018, the England quick appears primed to make a huge impact in the 11th edition. 

“Of course, there is pressure but that’s what really switches you on,” he said, speaking about the expectation of spearheading CSK’s bowling attack along with Lungi Ngidi and Shardul Thakur.  

“It might not go your way every time but if you give everything you’ve got and commit to every ball, then, hopefully, you come out on the right side more often than not,” he concluded. The 2018 season kicks off on April 7 with CSK taking on defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.  

“We were looking at someone who can regularly bowl at 140kmph and (Head Coach) Stephen Fleming felt Wood was a good option,” said KS Viswanathan, CEO, Chennai Super Kings. “We feel he has the potential to do well in the IPL.”