Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will miss the service of their speedsters, Luigi Ngidi and Jason Behrendorff, in the second match as well, when they take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 16. Ngidi had arrived late due to his international commitments and is undergoing a mandatory quarantine of seven days. Behrendorff replaced his compatriot Josh Hazlewood, who withdrew from IPL 2021. He was part of Mumbai Indians’ set-up in IPL 2019, and more recently he led the pace unit of Perth Scorchers in BBL 2020-21.
Chennai head coach Stephen Fleming had lamented the lack of firepower in their pace attack after losing the opening clash against Delhi Capitals on April 10. He also confirmed the unavailability of both Ngidi and Behrendorff.
‘Ngidi won’t be available in time for the next game. So losing Josh Hazlewood, which was the plan to have him available for these games now, is a blow as an option up front,’ said Fleming in the post-match conference. ‘Ngidi will be arriving soon and Behrendorff will be following that. So, it’s an area we are a little bit short on, but we still look at the Indian bowlers that we have, international bowler Sam Curran.’
CSK failed to defend a steep target of 189 as Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw, the Delhi Capitals openers, went on rampage. They added 138 for the first wicket to set up an easy win.
The CSK pacers lacked the incisiveness to pose any threat. Shardul Thakur was the most expensive bowler, leaking 53 runs in 3.4 overs. Deepak Chahar conceded 36 runs in four overs, while Sam Curran bowled only two overs and gave away 24 runs.