We have a strategy to counter Gayle: Yusuf Pathan

We have a strategy to counter Gayle, says Yusuf Pathan in his column in The Times Of India, adding that Chris Gayle is obviously a major threat in Bangalore, but they cannot ignore the other 10 players.

“It was disappointing that our last game against Hyderabad got washed out. Even the game between Bangalore and Chennai suffered the same fate. It means is that there are at least four teams with nine points each and three with eight points. Kolkata are playing some good cricket. We, nevertheless, gained from the wash out. It will add to our points tally and help us in the long run. We need to focus on maintaining a good run rate,” writes Pathan.

Meanwhile Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming writes in Hindustan Times that Faf has filled in for Mike Hussey admirably. “Faf has been carryin on the role that Mike Hussey would have done for us as an opener. We had planned that we would push Faf up the order once we realised that Mike would not be available. He is in form and has the skills. He grabbed the chance with both hands and has been a find for us. When Mike returns after the West Indies tour, we will, for the first time, have a problem of plenty. It would be interesting to see how we find roles for the overseas players,” writes Fleming.

For achieving the bigger goal, doing the little things right is what matters. One of them is bowling at the death in a T20 match. Even as many games this season have been lost in the last few overs, the Chennai Super Kings are a team who have this area well covered, says a report in HT, adding that they’ve placed the responsibility on Dwayne Bravo, who on most occasions, hasn’t disappointed.

“Bowling at the death is an important job and no team wants to spoil the good work done for 90% of the game. We have worked on this aspect and the results are showing,” said Stephen Fleming.

The coach pointed to Bravo, who has shown maximum improvement while bowling in the final overs. “He has worked on it and it is showing in his performance. In the game against the Pune Warriors, the match was pretty much about the spell in the last four overs.”