IPL 2021: Sanjay Manjrekar ‘surprised’ over CSK picking Dwayne Bravo for match against MI

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was ‘surprised’ after the Chennai Super Kings picked Dwayne Bravo for the match against Mumbai Indians in Match No.30 of the 2021 Indian Premier League. The veteran expressed his disbelief, saying the Bravo hasn’t bowled much in recent times.

Earlier this month, Bravo led the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their maiden title in the Caribbean Premier League. During the tournament, he scored 145 runs and picked up eight wickets. However, the 37-year-old veteran missed two games due to an injury.

After returning from the injury layoff, he didn’t bowl a single over in the last four matches. Moreover, with an economy rate of 9.49, Bravo was also the most expensive of the Patriots’ regular bowlers. Manjrekar questioned Bravo’s selection as he reckoned that the latter might not be fully fit.

Sanjay Manjrekar opines

Manjrekar also felt that picking Josh Hazlewood ahead of South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi was a sensible call on CSK’s part. “They’ve looked at the surface and believed that Hazlewood would benefit more than somebody like Lungi Ngidi. I think it’s a good call.

“I’m surprised that Bravo is in the team because I heard that he may have issues bowling. I’m surprised that CSK picked him despite clouds over his complete fitness,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

Manjrekar also reckoned that CSK will be boosted by Faf du Plessis’ return to fitness. “Great news for CSK that Faf du Plessis is fit as his groin injury was bit of a concern,” he added.

Du Plessis sustained a leg injury while playing for the Saint Lucia Kings in the CPL and missed a few games. He also smashed a century against the Patriots. In nine CPL games, the former South Africa skipper notched 277 runs at an average of 34.62 and a strike rate of 143.52.

As far as the game against MI was concerned, Du Plessis didn’t have a great outing. He bagged a duck and got out to Trent Boult. Bravo, on the other hand, scored 23 runs off eight balls with three sixes and his knocked helped CSK post a formidable score of 156.