Anil Kumble urges CSK to back youngsters with five games left in IPL 2025
"With Brevis and Mhatre now getting games, that’s a positive," Kumble said.
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After Chennai Super Kings (CSK) succumbed to their seventh defeat of the season on Friday, April 25, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the former India legend Anil Kumble advised the MS Dhoni-led side to give opportunities to youngsters in the five remaining games with an eye on the future.
Notably, CSK were bowled out for 154 in 19.5 overs by the SRH bowlers after Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field first. Harshal Patel starred with the ball for the 2016 champions as he bagged a four-for. In reply, Ishan Kishan and Kamindu Mendis played gutsy knocks to orchestrate a five-wicket win for SRH with eight balls to spare.
While Kumble acknowledged Rachin Ravindra's batting talent, he pointed out that the New Zealand all-rounder seems rushed in the T20 format and could achieve better results if he moved down to No. 3. However, the former India Test captain said that youngsters like Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis getting opportunities is a great sign for the five-time champions.
"Rachin Ravindra is a fantastic young talent, but in this format, he seems rushed and perhaps number three would’ve suited him better. The middle order lacked power outside of Shivam Dube. With Brevis and Mhatre now getting games, that’s a positive," Kumble said while speaking on JioStar.
They need to start thinking beyond Pathirana: Kumble
Furthermore, Anil Kumble also suggested that CSK should give opportunities to Nathan Ellis instead of solely relying on Matheesha Pathirana. The cricketer-turned-expert said that it is the ideal time to give opportunities to budding talents and start building for the future.
Dejected MS Dhoni analyses CSK’s lacklustre performances
"But they need to start thinking beyond Pathirana. Nathan Ellis is an experienced death bowler who has delivered before, yet hasn’t found a place after the first match. With five games left, it’s the perfect time to give youngsters a decent run and start building for the future," he added.
With two wins and seven defeats from nine games, CSK are all but out of the race for the playoffs. They will return to action on Wednesday, 30 April, at Chepauk against Punjab Kings.
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