Chennai Super Kings are the five-time champions of the IPL (Indian Premier League), and they will take on the three-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, on Tuesday, April 14, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium what is expected to be a crucial game between the two teams.
Irfan Pathan, who was previously an all-rounder in the Indian cricket team, thought that the game might hang on the opposition between the star opener Sanju Samson and the mystery spinner, Sunil Narine. Pathan insisted that Narine had done better than Samson, sacking the wicketkeeper-batter thrice through the IPL so far. The retired cricketer-turned analyst also said the Chennai Super Kings star has a deplorable strike against the Caribbean superstar.
“Against Sunil Narine, he (Sanju Samson) has been dismissed three times. He has faced around 80 balls in total and his strike rate against him is only around 80. He struggles to score runs and play big shots against him,” Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“It will be important to see how quickly Kolkata bring Sunil Narine into the attack against Sanju Samson, and how Samson counters him. Does he use more of the back foot? On this pitch at Chepauk, where there is more bounce, there is not much need to come forward too often. You can play more comfortably off the back foot,” he added.
“If used like this, he can become a very dangerous bowler” – Irfan Pathan’s huge statement on Jamie Overton
In Chennai’s most recent victory over the Delhi Capitals by 23 runs, Jamie Overton was the ball’s standout player. With incredible figures of 4/18 in his four overs, the England all-rounder concluded. The Barnstaple native might be crucial to this game, according to Pathan, particularly if he skillfully blends the slower balls and bouncers. Overton’s hitting ability, which could be useful against the Knight Riders, was also acknowledged by the 41-year-old.
“Especially in the match against Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, he went heavily into yorkers. But he is a tall bowler, so he should use bouncers and slower balls. In the last match against Delhi, Chennai used him in that way. If used like this, he can become a very dangerous bowler. He can also contribute with the bat and score runs, so how much impact he makes for Chennai will also be closely watched in this match,” Pathan stated.
