The CSK batsman has blamed the side’s opening partnership for defeat against Pune Warriors.
Following Chennai Super Kings’ 24-run defeat at the hands of Pune Warriors India on Monday, batsman Subramaniam Badrinath has blamed the franchise’s openers for their poor display.
Mike Hussey had been opening for the Super Kings with Murali Vijay, but was left out of the Pune tie to accommodate all-rounder Albie Morkel – meaning Vijay was joined at the top of the order by Srikkanth Anirudha.
Anirudha was trapped lbw for a duck off just the second ball of the match however, whilst Vijay fared a little better but still only made it to 24 before being caught by Ross Taylor off the bowling of Abhishek Nayar.
Yet even in their opening three matches, apart from a comprehensive victory over Kings XI Punjab, Hussey and Vijay only managed to put on totals of 10 and four for the first wicket, leading Badrinath to single out the area as the key to their downfall.
“The openers are not able to get us to the required start,” the CSK batsman was quoted on ESPNcricinfo.
“In that one game against KXIP, the openers just saw us through. Apart from that, this is an issue that needs to be addressed.”
In 2012 Chennai were catapulted to their third straight IPL final after some solid opening performances from South African all-rounder Faf du Plessis.
Yet injury to the SA Twenty20 captain has kept him out of this season’s tournament so far and in Badrinath’s eyes CSK are clearly struggling in his absence.
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