Chennai Super Kings have a fantastic shot at winning another IPL title: Kevin Pietersen

The second leg of the Indian Premier League will kick start with Mumbai Indians locking horns with their arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings on September 19. Both the teams are renowned to be the most successful teams in the history of IPL. Ahead of the start of the UAE leg of IPL, former England skipper Kevin Pietersen has pointed that CSK has an opportunity to win another title.

Chennai Super Kings had a dismaying IPL 2020. For the first time in the history of the tournament, they did not make it to the Playoffs. However, the MS Dhoni-led side turned the tables this time around and exuded their dominance in the first half of the IPL 2021. The team is currently placed at the second position of the points table, having won five matches from the seven they have played.

Thus, Pietersen admitted that he was surprised by CSK’s performance in the Indian leg of the IPL 2021. He also pinned his hopes on the team and stated that they have a fantastic shot at winning the title.

“Everybody wrote off the old boys’ army of CSK before the IPL started in April, so seeing them go so well was a bit of a surprise. But I’m not sure how well this four-month absence will have suited them. It could take them a little while to crank back into gear, particularly the older players. If they are ready, it could be a historic few weeks for the franchise. They have a fantastic shot at winning a title that everybody thought was beyond them,” Kevin Pietersen wrote in his latest column in betway insider.

Mumbai Indians can’t afford to lose three or four games: Kevin Pietersen

The defending champions Mumbai Indians are currently placed at the fourth spot of the points table with eight points to their account. The team often starts slow in the tournament and then eventually catches momentum. Pietersen, however, feels that Mumbai Indians cannot afford to lose their first few games as the tournament is already mid-way.

“They tend to lose their first few games and then come good towards the end of the tournament. Well, we’re already towards the end of the tournament now. Mumbai can’t afford to lose three or four games before they start playing because there’s so little time to play catch-up. If they are to retain their crown, they must be on it from ball one. Clearly, with the talent they have in their side, they are capable of doing it,” he added.