(Cricket news) In their first encounter during the TATA IPL 2023, Sanju Samson and his squad broke through the stronghold Chepauk with a razor-thin victory and denied CSK captain MS Dhoni the chance to end the game in a high-scoring thriller. The Yellow Army will now be trying to repay the favour in Pink City

After losing to Rajasthan Royals, CSK has won three straight games to get to the top of the team standings. However, RR have eight points after seven contests.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, CSK’s opening combination, are giving the team strong starts, which is one of the main factors contributing to their strong performance.

Conway, the leading run-getter for CSK and a former Australian cricketer, has received appreciation from Matthew Hayden for displaying his flexibility in the current TATA IPL.

Matthew Hayden stated during Cricket Live on Star Sports,  “Initially I was worried about Devon Conway as he was taking some time in the powerplay while Ruturaj Gaikwad was playing the aggressor. But in the last few games, Conway has shifted the gears. At the start of the season, the opening partnership for CSK was going hot and cold but now there is consistency. Good to see that Conway, being a senior player, taking the leadership role.”

The way that CSK is being led by their motivating captain, MS Dhoni, is another important factor in the team regaining its mojo.

The four-time TATA IPL champion captain’s success philosophy, according to former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, is to fully support a player.

Harbhajan Singh stated on Cricket Live on Star Sports, The winning mantra of MS Dhoni is that he backs the player at his best and favoured batting position. Dhoni backs the players to the hilt and that is the reason why CSK is a champion team. He doesn’t deviate from his game plan frequently or after every match. The players need to have that belief and faith in the management and captain. Only then they perform and MS and CSK team management understands it.”

In their rematch earlier yesterday, Kolkata Knight Riders overcame Royal Challengers Bangalore, improving their TATA IPL 2023 record against their longtime foe to 2-0.

The former India cricketer commended KKR skipper Nitish Rana for utilising match-ups to his advantage against an RCB team that was in great form.

Irfan Pathan stated on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, “Nitish Rana’s captaincy has to be commended. It was a smart move to bring in Suyash Sharma in the third over after being in the attack against his strike bowlers. Rana knew that RCB’s batsmen don’t have a good record against spin in the powerplay and that’s why he brought in Suyash. He got success and an impact player got out another impact player.”

Also read: “The spin bowling of KKR is their strongest suit” – Zaheer Khan