IPL 2018: Changes CSK must make to get back to winning ways
The high-flying Chennai Super Kings suffered a loss at the hands of defending champions, Mumbai Indians on Saturday. This was the second defeat for MS Dhoni's men this season, who are pretty much sure of making the playoffs.
This loss will be an alarming one for Chennai, as they will now look to strengthen their bowling attack for the upcoming games. Here are the changes they need to make to get back to winning ways.
David Willey instead of Deepak Chahar
Chennai Super Kings pacer Deepak Chahar suffered a hamstring injury during their crucial encounter against the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, at Pune, on Saturday. Chahar, who walked off the field while bowling the fifth over of Mumbai's innings, will be out of action for two weeks.
Chahar looked promising in the games he played for Chennai with his pace and swing, and to make up for his loss they need to replace him with all-rounder David Willey. The Englishman was signed by the Chennai Super Kings as a replacement to the injured Kedar Jadhav.
But he is yet to play a game in this IPL for CSK after coming in as a replacement. He is a very handy batsman who can score big and bat at various positions according to the team's needs. He is also very effective death-overs bowler with his wonderful toe-crushers and pace-variations.
Willey, who plays for Yorkshire in the domestic circuit, has represented England in 20 T20I matches, scoring 119 runs while picking up 24 wickets. Except for the first game, Chennai have relied on their domestic prospects in the pace department. But one can expect Dhoni to make this change due to Chahar's absence.
Karn Sharma instead of Imran Tahir
The Proteas leg-spinner, Imran Tahir has looked far from impressive this season. Though he has six wickets in as many games, he failed to replicate his last season's performance where he played for the now-defunct, Rising Pune Supergiant. With an economy of 9.09, he might be overlooked for the upcoming game and the Indian, Karn Sharma might get the nod.
In his first game of this season, Karn finished with figures of 2/13 against the Rajasthan Royals. It seems the Pune pitch is going to continue to assist bowlers, so expect him to get into the eleven, replacing Tahir.