Tushar Deshoande is CSK’s top wicket-taker with 19 wickets
From being the team’s top bowler in CSK debut to becoming the team’s top bowler, how Tushar Deshpande tells team’s batting coach Mike Hussey after a tough start
Chennai Super Kings, the second most successful franchise of the IPL, has been home to key players. During its illustrious 14-year history, the team has boasted an array of superstars including World Cup champions who have worn the iconic yellow jersey, cementing CSK’s position as one of the most respected teams in the league. Legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, Matthew Hayden, Dwayne Bravo, Brendon McCullum, Shane Watson and Suresh Raina have been instrumental in supporting MS Dhoni and making CSK a hugely successful brand in the world of cricket. However, the Super Kings are currently in a transitional phase where a new generation of talented players are being handed over the responsibilities under the expert guidance of the captain.
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The process of change was initiated last season as injuries challenged CSK’s campaign, which saw the team losing key bowlers. In response, fast bowlers Mukesh Chowdhary and Simarjit Singh shouldered the responsibility of leading the CSK attack throughout the season. Despite not achieving their desired results, the team displayed resilience and managed to navigate through obstacles, setting their sights on the future. As the 2023 season unfolds, CSK has seen the retirement of a few veterans while welcoming new talent to fill the void. Once again, injuries hampered the Super Kings, but this time, they received overwhelming support from their enthusiastic home crowd, which acted as a confidence booster for the team.
CSK became the first team to use the impact player rule, labeling Mumbai bowler Tushar Deshpande. However, he failed to make an impact in the first campaign against Gujarat Titans. In the next game, he took a wicket but also conceded several extra runs. This was the right time when Dhoni warned the young bowlers against bowling too many no-balls and wides, hinting that he could be away if the problem persists. This statement started working wonders as Deshpande’s performance improved a lot, especially in terms of taking wickets.
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As a result, Deshpande claimed the Purple Cap in the third week itself. The right-arm pacer has become CSK’s highest wicket-taker but still needs to work on controlling the runs conceded. Tushar’s journey in IPL 2023 has been an inspiration to many. From making his debut in CSK to becoming the team’s top bowler, the 28-year-old has experienced a lot. Ahead of the clash against Delhi Capitals, batting coach Mike Hussey revealed how the pacer bounced back after a torrid start and is now shining brightly.
“It is all about the support of the captain and the coaching staff. He has shown faith in Tushar, and when you feel backed by the captain and the coach and know you have a role to play, it boosts your confidence. There will still be ups and downs in games, but if you know the team is fully behind you, you feel motivated to go out there and play your best cricket. You don’t worry about getting out after every game,” Hussey replied to a question from CricketNext.
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“He’s had a very good tournament. Along the way, there have been areas for him to work on, but as the season progresses, he becomes clearer and clearer about his approach. It’s not just the powerplay. This applies in overs but also during death overs.”
CSK skipper Dhoni is known for his ability to groom players and Tushar’s case is no different. With 19 wickets to his name, Deshpande is currently 6th on the Purple Cap list and is expected to climb higher when he takes the field against Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon.
