Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Chennai Super Kings’ positives after an eight-wicket win against Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Saturday. Chopra said the franchise might miss Ayush Mhatre slightly less after Kartik Sharma scored a crucial knock of 54 runs off 40 balls in the run chase of 160.

CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad also scored a fine knock of 67 runs off 48 balls and he added 98 runs off 75 balls with Kartik Sharma to help his team get over the line in the run chase. 

“It’s true that their road ahead is not that easy, but it’s also true that only one team in the bottom six has a positive net run rate, and that’s CSK. This was their first win while chasing in this season. They won despite Sanju Samson not scoring runs. That’s also happened for the first time. That’s also good for you, as you can win even if one of your main players doesn’t do the job,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Ruturaj Gaikwad, it seemed like he was under captaincy pressure, but back-to-back fifties, and this was a match-winning half-century. Kartik Sharma, this kid is talented. He was bought very costly, and him coming in form and hitting good sixes, suddenly, you might miss Ayush Mhatre slightly less,” he added.

The renowned analyst also praised the bowling trio of Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, and Noor Ahmad for bowling consistently in the last few games.

“Anshul Kamboj has been brilliant with the new and the old ball, and in the middle overs. Jamie Overton is bowling well in any case. No matter how much you praise him, it’s less. Noor Ahmad has also been seen bowling well in back-to-back games. So plenty of good things have happened,” he observed.

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Tuesday.