The defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been ruled of the ongoing IPL for two weeks due to a Grade 1 hamstring tear.
The 35-year old had succumbed to injury while batting during CSK’s last match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday.
Having registered their maiden loss in the IPL 2019 after losing the match by 37 runs, CSK has received another blow in the form of their premier death bowler being ruled out.
Former Australia cricketer and current batting coach of CSK, Michael Hussey, confirmed the news ahead of the match against Kings XI Punjab on Saturday.
“It’s going to cause a little bit of rejigging of the team but I am sure we are going to be able to put together a very strong team. It’s a big loss but we have had these challenges in the past. Let’s hope we can do this again,” Hussey said.
“I am sure MS [Dhoni] and [Stephen] Fleming will be looking at Scott Kuggeleijn and assessing his death bowling skills. We’ve got Shardul [Thakur]. Mohit [Sharma] can bowl at the death as well.
“It’s about assessing the conditions. If it’s turning, I think one of the spinners can bowl at the death. I am sure there will be a lot of strategic thinking and it’s a key area of the game,” Hussey opened up regarding their death bowling options in the upcoming matches.
Meanwhile, CSK has already been hit with overseas players missing out this season. Lungi Ngidi was ruled out before the start of the tournament while David Willey opted to sit out due to the birth of his second child. They, however, roped in New Zealand’s fast bowler Scott Kuggeleijn last week as a replacement for Ngidi.
