The opening game of IPL 2020, Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians is just 4 days away and CSK will have to prepare for the game without fast bowling options Josh Hazlewood (Australia) & Sam Curran (England). CSK is now preparing first eleven of the game without Hazlewood and Curran in the line-up.
The confusion in the IPL 2020 still prevails about the availability of the Australian & England cricketers for the opening game as no one knows clearly what’s the rule.
CSK’S own bowling consultant Eric Simons said CSK thinks they will not be available.
“We are hearing – although it’s not confirmed yet – that they will also have to self-isolate in their rooms for six days and produce negative tests on the first, third and sixth days before they can join us,” Simons wrote in his column for ‘Manners on Cricket’ website.
Keeping all the confusion aside – CSK is now preparing for IPL 2020 Opening game without even considering Hazlewood & Curran’s name in the first eleven for the opening match.
“We are mindful of it that Josh and Curran will not be available for first 2 games. But Bravo and others have reached on time. We have enough firepower and should manage well”, said Kasi Viswanathan, CEO of CSK.
IPL 2020 MI vs CSK Live : Chennai Super Kings likely Line Up for the Opening Game
As CSK will not have the services of Hazlewood and Curran in the opening game, South African Lungi Ngidi will surely make it to the CSK playing11. Deepak Chahar who has now fully recovered from Covid-19 along with Shardul Thakur will be the other pace bowling options in the playing 11 for CSK.
Bravo now will become the most important cog in the wheel for CSK as he will not only be expected to give solidity to the batting in the absence of Suresh Raina but will also have to play a crucial role with his four overs.
CSK likely Bowling line up for the Opening game against Mumbai Indians
Fast Bowling Options in 11 for CSK – Ngidi / Thakur / Chahar / Bravo
Spin Bowling Options in 11 for CSK – Jadeja / Chawla / Jadhav
1 Shane Watson
2 Du Plessis / Murali Vijay
3 Ambati Rayudu
4 MS Dhoni
5 Kedar Jadhav
6 Ravinder Jadeza
7 Dwayne Bravo
8 Shardul Thakur
9 Deepak Chahar
10 Lungi Ngidi
11 Piyush Chawla
Another line of thought that must be getting deliberated by CSK management would be to draft Murali Vijay as opening partner of Shane Watson for the opening game. This will give them option to draft one extra spinner in form of either Mitchell Santner or Imran Tahir in the playing 11.
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