IPL 2023: “CSK Bowling Was Seen Totally Exposed”, Aakash Chopra

Gujarat Titans defeated MS Dhoni-led CSK by 5 wickets in the opening game of IPL 2023 in Ahmedabad on March 31. Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra reckons CSK have a problem with their bowling lineup and despite using an Impact Player their bowling was exposed in the game against Gujarat Titans.

Chennai Super Kings used pacer Tushar Deshpande as the First Impact Player in the history of IPL. Despite using Tushar Deshpande, CSK used only 5 bowlers which proved to be costly for the MS Dhoni-led team in the first game of IPL 2023.

“Chennai have a problem. The bowling was seen totally exposed. They removed Ambati Rayudu and brought in Tushar Deshpande (as Impact Player) but they had only five bowlers, which included Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), Mitchell Santner, Tushar Deshpande, Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Deepak Chahar,” Aakash Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

“Bowling is not looking good. Chennai’s problem is bowling. You should have a sixth bowler when there is an Impact Player, but they didn’t have a sixth bowling option. It’s not a good story at all,” the former Indian batter questioned CSK’s tactics in the game against Gujarat Titans.

Lack of bowling options for CSK in the first game against Gujarat Titans

CSK used 5 bowlers in the game against Gujarat Titans. Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Tushar Deshpande, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Deepak Chahar bowled four overs each. The other bowling options available for them were Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali.

Ben Stokes isn’t fully fit to bowl and will participate in the initial few games for CSK just as a batter. On the other hand, MS Dhoni didn’t use Moeen Ali’s off-spin as Gujarat Titans had a constant right-hand left-hand batting combination in the middle overs.

CSK is also missing their key spinner Maheesh Theekshana. The Sri Lankan off-spinner is currently playing for his national side in the series against New Zealand. He will join the CSK squad after a couple of days and will provide much-needed strength to their bowling lineup.

The CSK franchise is also missing the likes of overseas pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Sisanda Magala who are currently serving their national sides. In the absence of their three key overseas bowlers, CSK were left only with a handful of options including their inexperienced Indian pacers.