IPL 2023: “It Was Important to Back Tushar Deshpande”- Ravichandran Ashwin on MS Dhoni Backing The CSK Pacer

IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings’ pacer Tushar Deshpande has scalped a few crucial wickets for them in the three games he has played in the IPL 2023. Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin spoke about how important it was for MS Dhoni to keep backing the young pacer. This was after he smashed for a few boundaries in the first game.

MS Dhoni persists with his players. He gives them a long run so that they can get success for his team. He did the same with young pacer Tushar Deshpande after he leaked 51 runs in just 3.2 overs as Gujarat Titans comfortably defeated the Chennai Super Kings side.

“After the first match, they had a go like this at Tushar Deshpande as well. ‘Why is he bowling like this? Drop Tushar!’ these were some of the criticisms,” Ravichandran Ashwin said about Tushar Deshpande on his YouTube channel.

“However, the captain, who knew it all, realized how important it was to back Tushar at this point. And he started picking wickets. Tim David smashed him, but he ended up getting his wicket as well,” the Indian spinner discussed Tushar Deshpande’s comeback in the CSK vs MI game.

IPL 2023: Tushar Deshpande’s spell in the CSK vs MI game

Mumbai Indians’ skipper Rohit Sharma was looking threatening in the CSK vs MI game as he along with wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan got Mumbai Indians to a flying start in the first four overs. CSK pacer dismissed Rohit Sharma with a piece of delivery after he had scored 21 runs off just 13 deliveries.

Tushar Deshpande then came in to bowl the 17th over against Tim David who smashed a couple of sixes and a four against him. However, the CSK pacer showed great temperament and dismissed the mighty batter on the final delivery of the 17th over by bowling a slow off-cutter.

Deshpande finished with excellent figures of 2 for 31 in the CSK vs MI game as Mumbai Indians could only post a below-par total of 157-8 in their 20 overs. Tushar Deshpande has taken 5 wickets in the three IPL 2023 games and is certainly looking like a bright prospect for them going into the next few crucial games.