Why KKR Trump Card Varun Chakravarthy Can Decimate New CSK Captain MS Dhoni

Anurag Dasgupta

Why Chakravarthy will dominate MSD [Source: AP Photo]Why Chakravarthy will dominate MSD [Source: AP Photo]

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will enter the pitch against Kolkata Knight Riders with a new found hope as they will step onto the field with a new captain to take the mantle forward. With Ruturaj Gaikwad injured and ruled out of the tournament, CSK decided to bring in MS Dhoni back as their skipper.

The former captain of the team will once again have the responsibility to steer his team out of a tricky situation as CSK are yet to find their groove this season. However, apart from the leadership responsibility, MS Dhoni will also have to worry about KKR trump card, Varun Chakravarthy.

Why MSD should be scared of Chakravarthy

For starters, if there is one bowler whom MSD fears in the IPL, then it is the KKR star, Chakravarthy. The wily spinner has dominated the proceedings against the CSK star and could be the trump card once again on Friday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Criterion
Data
Runs11
Balls16
Dismissals3
Strike-rate68.8

(MSD record against Chakravarthy)

As the table shows, MSD has struggled against the class of KKR spinner. He has only scored 11 runs in 16 balls, with a strike-rate of 68.8. Interestingly, Chakravarthy has dismissed him thrice with the CSK captain yet to decode the mystery of the KKR bowler.

MSD plays him from the crease and hardly moves his feet which makes Chakravarthy's job a whole lot easier. Moreover, over the years, Dhoni has build a defensive mindset against the spinners and it doesn't help his cause either.