Sam Curran – The complete cricketer CSK desperately needed in IPL 2020

As the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is heading towards its business end, three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are surprisingly sitting at the bottom of the table. With just 3 wins in 11 matches so far, their quest for a fourth IPL title is as good as over. The only good thing for the Yellow Army in this disastrous season is the revelation of the English all-rounder Sam Curran as a potential match-winner.

The only positive for CSK

Curran was roped in by CSK in last year’s auction and has proved his mettle as one of the best buys for the franchise in the last couple of years. The 22-year-old seems like a misfit in the Yellow Outfit which is deemed as the “Dad’s Army” but with his all-round abilities, he has emerged as a vital cog in their line-up.

It can prove to be a long-term investment for the CSK contingent as Curran still has his best days ahead of him and can hang in for years to come. The all-rounder’s debut for the Yellow Army in IPL 2020 was nothing less than magical. Sam has been handy with both bat and ball and has also impressed one and all with his acrobatic fielding skills. Initially, the inclusion of Curran in CSK’s line-up had raised a few eyebrows but the young gun has managed to hold on to his spot with his ability to bat anywhere in the line-up along with chipping in with crucial overs.

Curran’s flexibility

Included in the CSK playing XI as an overseas left-arm medium-fast bowling option, the Northampton-born made headlines with his power-hitting as he smashed 18 off 6 in his first game against Mumbai Indians followed by 17 off 6 against Rajasthan Royals. He played a few more short yet valuable cameos for his team before he was promoted as an opener. CSK’s batting line-up lacked a bit of steam due to slow starts, thus the captain MS Dhoni played a gamble of making a hard-hitter Sam Curran open the innings. This proved to be a masterstroke as in his first innings as an opening batsman, the left-hander gave a good start to the franchise by his quick 21-ball 31.

The 22-year-old has also managed to gain the trust of his captain and coach as a bowler who can be utilized with the new ball, in the middle overs or at the death.

The Complete cricketer

The all-round performance by Sam Curran has resulted in him getting glowing appraisals from the veterans of the cricket fraternity. The young gun is also hailed as a ‘complete cricketer’, who can bat and ball anywhere, someone CSK desperately needed in their troubling IPL 2020 campaign. They will be hoping for the youngster to stick with them in the years to come.