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Former cricketers Steve Smith and Stuart Broad offered insightful reflections on the recent Chennai Super Kings' commanding performance and intriguing insights into the upcoming matches of the IPL 2024. With Smith praising Chennai's flawless execution and the impact of emerging talent like Dube, and Broad highlighting the pivotal role of fast bowlers and previewing the anticipated clash between SRH and MI, their analysis adds depth to the excitement surrounding the league.
“No, it can't get much better than that. Everything went according to plan, didn't it? The opening partnership with the bat, Dube coming in and smashing his first two balls for sixes and going on to make a great start. And then with 206 on the board, everything had to go according to plan for Gujarat to chase that down, and it didn't happen, did it? The Chennai guys were outstanding," Smith told on Star Sports' Cricket Live.
Smith also spoke on the impact that Dube has had in the side for CSK. “He's got very long levers, he's just so confident at the moment, isn't he? Particularly against the spinners. His first two balls for six, and then from there just kept flowing, he kept about his business, he saw the ball and hit it to his areas. He's just playing really well at the moment. He can take a lot of confidence out of this and he can take that forward in the tournament.”
Also read: Shot of the Day - Shivam Dube's monstrous hits light up Chepauk- CSK vs GT IPL 2024
Meanwhile, Stuart Broad spoke on the importance of getting important wickets at crucial times for CSK. "He said, “I think when you're a fast bowler, whenever you get the opposition captain it gives you such a big lift. Obviously, you have a target in your mind, and I think everybody bowled well, bowled straighter, used that home knowledge and zoned in a little more on that off stump. I think that's paid dividends for them. The pacers took 8 wickets which is so rare. Whenever we think Chennai we think spin, so to see the pacers take wickets is a huge advantage."
'Wound back the clock, didn't he?' - Steve Smith on MS Dhoni's acrobatic wicketkeeping
*Steve Smith spoke on the diving catch of MS Dhoni. “Yeah, wound back the clock, didn't he? Just put a dive in there, it was 2.27 meters, it came up on the coverage, it was a great catch. He was standing a bit closer because Darryl Mitchell is not the quickest of bowlers so he was up nice and tight, didn't have a great deal of time to react but his reactions are certainly still there, aren't they? Covered ground nicely and just stuck in that right hand.”
Also read: IPL 2024: MS Dhoni goes horizontal in air to dismiss Vijay Shankar caught behind
Stuart Broad added, “He’s still pretty good, isn’t he? He's a legend of the game. I feel for MS, he doesn't have to bat in a game and still manages to have a moment that moves or changes the game in less than a second. His teammates swarmed in delighted for him and the crowd in Chennai loved it so it was a great moment in the night.”
Broad also previewed the SRH vs MI match, highlighting the key match up. “Honestly, he looks superb. If there is anyone who is a complete T20 bowler in the world, it has to be him. And the battle to watch out for tomorrow is between Klaasen and Bumrah. Klaasen probably the most informed T20 batsman at the moment. He is hitting sixes for fun. Nearly got the team over the line from an impossible position against KKR. As soon as he walks into the crease, what do I do? I am going to get Jasprit Bumrah to warm up and bowl him a Yorker, trying to hit the stumps. Klaasen looks confident; he hits it straight and high; he is such a powerful guy. So it is something that I cannot wait to watch. And if Klaasen hasn’t faced Bumrah yet, it will be difficult because Bumrah is a very difficult bowler to get used to.”
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