IPL 2024: Mustafizur, a bowling guru for CSK, “executed plans beautifully” after a Bangladeshi pacer rattled the RCB top-order

Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman has received high acclaim from Eric Simons, the bowling coordinator for the Chennai Super Kings, for his flawless execution of the plans, which enabled his team to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets in this IPL opener.

In addition to removing Cameron Green (18), Mustafizur (4/29) shook the RCB top-order by dismissing Virat Kohli (21), captain Faf du Plessis (35) and Rajat Patidar (0). Mustafizur returned with his best-ever IPL numbers as CSK reduced RCB to 173 for six.

“We’ve always sought to consider the circumstances and the side’s equilibrium. Simons said in the press conference after the game, “He does fit the conditions, but it’s the simplicity of the plan that we put in place, and he executed that beautifully today (Friday).”

Anuj Rawat (48) and Dinesh Karthik (38 not out) combined to score 95 vital runs when RCB was reeling at 78 for five, lifting the team to a promising total.

When questioned about why spinner Rachin Ravindra was not sent on to stop the run flow, Simons said he thought it was a little late to give him the ball.

They were winning 78–5, and the spinners had performed well. After two overs for a few, the momentum changed, and it was perhaps too late to give the ball to him at that point. He can bowl, no doubt, but only when the timing is perfect, based on what we have seen in the nets, the South African said.

Although Simons emphasized the importance of managing the powerplay and death overs, he gave the RCB hitters credit for setting the terms at the tail end of their innings.

Controlling the Powerplay and death is a crucial part of the game, as seen from the viewpoint of the seam. We talk a lot about teaching ourselves and the bowlers how to employ variations, field placements, and strategies in addition to talents, he said.

In certain situations, DK (Dinesh Karthik) is a formidable opponent to bowl against. The RCB hitters deserve some credit for their deceitful tactics against us. Next, we’ll examine whether we allowed it to occur too often.

“I want to know who is in charge of the strategies. Do the batters of the opposition dictate to us, or do we dictate to them? and you conclude that we gave the hitters too much leeway after today.

“Dwayne Bravo, who is very knowledgeable, and I will go over some of those match videos and have conversations about it.”

The CSK hitters were aggressive when chasing 174, and Simons said that they were supposed to play freely.

“In contests such as this, it is crucial that the hitters play as freely and intimidatingly as possible since that is how they want to play. Our batting lineup gives us hope for what we may accomplish.

Although he won’t be like Dube, Rahane will be combative. So go ahead and express yourself freely while playing your game.