Able to make two points of difference

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted Kartik Sharma’s impact for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during their massive 103-run win over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, on Thursday, April 23. Although the youngster could not make much of an impression with his sluggish 19-ball 18, the former spinner noted how he had a massive role to play in the eventual result.

Kartik Sharma, featuring for the first time since the away clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), came into bat at No.6 in the 11th over after Dewald Brevis’ dismissal. He was involved in a 43-run partnership with the well-settled Sanju Samson, before being dismissed in the 17th over.

R Ashwin noted that the fact that Kartik Sharma hung around till the death overs, meant that CSK were not forced to send another batter in as the impact sub in place of Akeal Hosein. He also noted how Mitchell Santner got injured while completing the catch that ended Sharma’s stay at the crease.

Shardul Thakur eventually came onto the field as a concussion substitute for the New Zealand star.

“My reliable player of the day actually would be Kartik Sharma, not even Akeal Hosein. If he had not played this long, some 20 balls or so, he would not have been able to make two points of difference. One, Santner got injured, but more importantly, CSK had already kept Urvil Patel padded up and ready, and also Prashant Veer. If Karthik Sharma had been out early then, they would have sent a batter (as impact sub) to score 20 more runs, because everyone were thinking that they needed at least 220,” Ashwin remarked on his YouTube channel.

“Imagine if CSK had used their impact sub on a batter, then Akeal Hosein would not have got a chance in this game. So, CSK should not keep him as an impact sub, and keep him in the playing XI, and let someone else be the impact sub. But jokes apart, Akeal Hosein is my reliable player of the day, and it is because of him CSK were able to win today. The spell he bowled in the powerplay, how often do you see a team scoring less than run-a-ball in the powerplay at the Wankhede?” he added.

Akeal Hosein, who eventually came in as an impact sub towards the very end of the innings, ended up being the difference-maker. He derailed MI’s run chase attempt, striking twice in the powerplay to dismiss Danish Malewar and Naman Dhir. The left-arm spinner eventually ended with sublime figures of 4-17, including a maiden over.

“Jadeja is my friend, but he never bowled in the powerplay” – R Ashwin on how Akeal Hosein is unlike his former teammate

Akeal Hosein’s tweet from 2013, where he aspires to be like Ravindra Jadeja, has been a well-circulated one. However, Ashwin does not feel that they are similar bowlers just because they bowl left-arm finger spin.

“Jadeja is my friend, but he never bowled in the powerplay. But Akeal Hosein has powerplay skills, he has an arm ball that swings late, that is his most dangerous strength. He also bowled a spinning ball today that dismissed Danish Malewar. Everyone were saying that CSK’s bowling attack is the weakest, but in the three games they have won, all six points have come because of the bowling,” R Ashwin opined.

CSK climb to the fifth spot in the points table with a massive surge to their net run-rate, and will face the Gujarat Titans (GT) next on Sunday, April 26, in an afternoon home game.