CSK rides on the brilliance of Rayudu and Chahar

Despite getting two records (not worth boasting) — of lowest powerplay and lowest ten-over scores to its name, CSK transformed dramatically and rode on a brilliant 112-run stand between Rayudu and southpaw Suresh Raina, who scored a half-century (53* off 43 balls), to help the team accumulate 128 runs in the last 10 overs to reach a creditable total. 

With Rayudu sent down the order, CSK’s pace of scoring dipped alarmingly in the powerplay overs as it was deprived of the flourish Rayudu provided it in the previous games. But facing a different challenge of batting in the middle order, Rayudu stepped up to the occasion and showed his team that he is equipped to bat at any position. The 32-year-old took his time to get his eye in, but once his engine got revved up, there was no looking back for CSK even on a sluggish track.

Rayudu excelled at his home ground owing to his reading of the pitch. While it wasn’t easy to find runs from the length area, anything short or wide got the treatment it deserved. This would also mean that he ensured he played the ball really late and moved into position only after the ball was released from the hand of the bowler. 

Even against spinners, he wasn’t committing himself early and the slow nature of the pitch allowed him to rock back and play the pull. CSK could not thank Raina and Rayudu much, who despite being pushed to the wall, came out with a plan, settled and then launched a calculated attack to take their side to a winning total. 

Later, it was the turn of another unsung hero of CSK, Deepak Chahar to come to the fore as his spell of 4-1-15-3 derailed the home team’s chase. Chahar took the wicket of Ricky Bhui in his first over and followed that up with the key wickets of Manish Pandey and Deepak Hooda to reduce the host to 22 for three. In between, he produced a maiden over to keep things tight from his end. 

The 25-year-old Chahar is not the first domestic bowling talent to emerge from CSK’s stable as bowlers such as the burly Manpreet Gony, unheralded spinner Shadab Jakati and pacer Mohit Sharma made a name for themselves under the astute leadership of MS Dhoni.

Speaking after the match, Dhoni lauded the contribution of youngsters and reserved high praise for Rayudu. “What’s important is to give these guys (Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur) some time. I want them to do well. Yes, there have been errors, but they will come back strong. Rayudu has been fantastic. 

One of the questions was where do we play him? And I have seen him bat up the order at No. 3. Whenever he plays the big shots, he maintains shape, which is very important. He can bat at all numbers, but I’d prefer to see him opening, where he looks very dangerous.”