1 week Ago
Praising Noor Ahmad for his thrifty spell (4-0-13-0) in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, CSK bowling consultant Eric Simons added that the spinner’s “fantastic asset” is that he’s tough to read. “When you’ve gone for only 13 in four overs, in a game like this, that sets up a win in many ways. So, certainly, from a bowling coach perspective, you recognize the fact that it’s not always wickets that you take, but it’s the wickets that you earn for your team.
“What I saw today was him bowling a lot more accurately. He bowled a little slower, which normally shows good confidence. But I’ve caught a lot of balls to a lot of spinners over the years in my role as a bowling coach, and he’s one I cannot read.
He’s tough to read. And that’s obviously a fantastic asset to have. His willingness to learn and grow is important.
“But as he becomes more and more accurate in what he does, and as he understands his craft better, he’s just going to get better and better. So, he’s a wonderful asset for us, and he’s a wonderful guy. This is the first time I’ve actually worked with him.
So, he’s been a tremendous part of our squad,” he said at the post-match press conference. WATCH: Dhoni’s influence is always there, whether he is captain or not, says CSK’s bowling consultant He said the 20-year-old debutant Shaik Rasheed , who hit six fours in his 19-ball 27, reminds many of a young Ruturaj Gaikwad for his shot-making ability. He also praised his work ethic, positivity, and consistent effort over the years.
“I think he was ready about a year ago. He’s just a wonderful player. A lot of guys talk about how he reminds them of a young Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) in just the way he plays and his shot-making.
Just his ability to hit the ball cleanly and play his game is exciting. So, it’s just that we haven’t had the opportunity for him to slot in the way that he did today. We decided to roll the dice, and he played extremely well.
Very happy for him. “We have a cap-handing-over ceremony and the applause that he received was a testament to the popularity of the young guy. His work ethic in the nets (is great).
He’s (always) smiling. Obviously, my division is bowling, but I know the batting guys have spoken very highly of him for a long time. It was great to see him do what they know he can do.
Let’s hope it’s the kickstart to a long and successful career,” he said. Simons said that the new signee Ayush Mhatre , a 17-year-old Mumbai batter, came for a trial and impressed everyone in the nets with his aggressive yet controlled approach to batting. He emphasized that Mhatre’s batting style aligned with CSK’s brand of cricket.
“He came and did a trial at Chennai. It’s just amazing how these young cricketers play. They play a fearless brand of cricket.
If you look at the way CSK plays, there’s a brand that we play, and he fitted in from that perspective. To be able to play with a sense of freedom, to be able to play aggressively but within the way that you play. I mean you’ve got a guy like Ajinkya Rahane - he’s not a smasher, but his strike rate is incredible.
So, there are different ways of doing it. “He (Mhatre) came and had really good nets, and the guys that kept their eyes on him were very impressed with what he’s got and what he can offer for the future. So, very exciting to have him as part of the side,” he said.
Comments Related Topics Noor Ahmad / Chennai Super Kings / M. S. Dhoni / Shaik Rasheed / IPL 2025 Latest on Sportstar.
