IPL 2020: CSK vs DC Game Plan 2- Can Shreyas Iyer break his CSK jinx?
CSK vs DC – The sixth match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, could all be about match-ups. We take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the sixth game of IPL 2020.
CSK vs DC – Iyer and the CSK jinx
As mentioned in the previous game plan, the Delhi Capitals’ openers and Shimron Hetmyer have obstacles to overcome against CSK. Shreyas Iyer too has a few hurdles against the Super Kings. Since 2018, his record against CSK is terrible.
His average against CSK is the second-worst for him against any IPL team; strike rate and AVG+SR metrics are the worst. One of the main reasons behind his pathetic record against CSK is the duo of Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja.
CSK vs DC – Why CSK should play Tahir
In the middle-overs since IPL 2017, Iyer averages 25.67 and has a strike rate of about 125 against leg-spinners . Thus, his not-so-great record against Tahir – albeit small sample size – is understandable. Tahir does have the ability to quick really quick and this is where Iyer or most of the batsmen get trapped. And, Tahir did the same against Iyer. Tahir has played three games against Iyer in T20s – all in 2019 IPL.
According to iplt20.com, four out of 10 balls by Tahir to Iyer were of 90+ km/hr and just two under 85 km/hr. Tahir has got Iyer out twice – by bowling on good-length in the off-stump and the fourth-stump line.
ALSO READ: CSK vs DC – Game Plan 1 – CSK’s powerplay woes and Game Plan 3 – DC need a leg-spinner
However, his numbers against Jadeja are a bit surprising – the sample size is not small, mind you. In the middle-overs of IPL since 2017, Iyer averages 58 against slow left-arm orthodox bowlers. His scoring rate against other such bowlers is 9.27 RPO, against Jadeja it is under 6. Jadeja is also capable of bowling at a quick speed which might have troubled Iyer. Tahir is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world and would walk into most T20 teams in an ideal world. However, CSK haven’t started with him in the IPL 2020. Tahir is a fantastic bowler and CSK should find a way to fit him in their XI. He is equally good against southpaws as he is against right-handed batsmen.
Tahir could also get Pant out. Tahir’s overall T20 record vs Pant: 32 runs, 20 balls and 1 wicket might not inspire enough confidence. However, this is a result of one extremely bad game: qualifier 2 of IPL 2019. Pant whacked Tahir for 21 runs off 11 balls in that match. He either bowled short or not quick enough to trouble Pant, and into his body. What he needs to do is bowl a bit quick away from his body and mix it up with googlies, like Ravi Bishnoi did for KXIP the other day. This plan is a bit risky but might pay off.