Random IPL Thoughts #1

2015 CSK and 2020 SRH: Similarities and one significant difference

It’s no secret that CSK is the second most successful team in the IPL, after Mumbai Indians. Captained by MSD and coached by Fleming, the team has had a consistent and robust core, with the right mix of experienced Indian and foreign players over the years. The team consistently made playoffs and won two titles in the first five years (2008-2013) quite comfortably. Mike Hussey, Murali Vijay and Suresh Raina scored quick runs for the team in the powerplay overs. Albie Morkel, MSD, Chris Morris and Ravindra Jadeja lower down the order meant there was enough firepower in the batting line-up.

Yet the Super Kings had a heart-breaking batting failure in the 2013 IPL final against Mumbai Indians. Lasith Malinga decimated the top order in the second innings, and the scorecard read 3-3 after two overs. CSK never really recovered from that collapse, although MS made a fighting half-century. This batting failure and the fact that Hussey was getting older (37 at that time) might have prompted the management to go for an all-new opening pair for the next season.

Enter Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum. Two swashbuckling superstars of the modern game. The former had an impressive run at the Mumbai Indians earlier, and the latter needs no introduction to his pyro techniques- the sensational 158 not out in the first-ever IPL match speaks for itself. Ashish Nehra was another addition to the squad, and his performances were noteworthy too that season.

The new overseas recruits meant that CSK had to forego its one foreign fast bowler policy- which included Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus and others previously. Instead, their first-choice overseas line-up comprised of Smith, McCullum, Faf du Plessis and Dwayne Bravo. The 2014 first choice playing XI, which I believe is the best CSK side yet, looked like this (left):

Three overseas batsmen, a foreign allrounder and an Indian bowling attack- sounds familiar to another team’s recent combination? Sunrisers Hyderabad (2020) is- a squad that takes pride in its Indian pace battery. Although there are no Ashwin-Jadeja homegrown finger spin masters in the Sunrisers line-up, they do have the wily Afghan sensation Rashid Khan- and that’s partly where the similarities end. Rashid takes one foreigner’s slot, which means no pace bowling allrounder a la Jason Holder in the XI. Have a look at the SRH XI (above right) after Mitchell Marsh got injured in the first game.

This XI, though, may not be the strongest SRH line-up of 2020. The inexperience in the middle order is evident, an Achille’s heel for SRH over the years. Replace Bairstow with Saha, and now they can add Jason Holder at 5, 6 or 7 to strengthen their middle order. But then this article was about the similarities with 2014-15 CSK, and hence this XI. Sunrisers are neck-to-neck in the top-order and the bowling attack, but while there’s the magic of MSD in the middle order for CSK, there’s a massive void for SRH.

What holds for the future?

Super Kings had a torrid season last year, and it was primarily due to middle-order batting failures. Raina wasn’t there, and Watson struggled to get going in the powerplay overs. I think CSK would go with Faf and Ruturaj Gaikwad as openers with Raina and Moeen Ali to follow. Playing Uthappa as a middle-order batsman is a poor decision, considering his returns in the past. So, he would probably be a back-up. Sam Curran at No. 5 followed by MS and Jadeja at 6 and 7 would be great. The remaining foreign slot could be given to either Lungi Ngidi, Josh Hazlewood, Imran Tahir or Mitchell Santner, depending on the matchups and playing conditions.

For Sunrisers, punching above their weight has become a habit. With no big Indian names in the squad, they don’t have the same fanbase as other teams. But the underdogs had an incredible season last year, coming back to storm into the playoffs after a few embarrassing defeats early on due to middle-order inexperience. Kedar Jadhav is the new man to add some experience to the middle order, and he would probably be seeking redemption after his forgettable outing for CSK last year. Warner, Williamson and Rashid Khan are likely to hold three overseas slots. Further, it’s up to Tom Moody to choose from Bairstow and Holder, to obtain a winning combination.