Pathan also opened up how CSK takes care of its players.
With the latest 7-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals, the 8th ranked Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are highly unlikely to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the history of the IPL, but former all-rounder Irfan Pathan is still optimistic about CSK’s chances in the ongoing IPL 2020.
Chennai has managed to win only 3 games from their 10 outings in the ongoing 13th edition of the IPL in the UAE and is currently placed at the bottom of the points table after being thrashed by RR in the 37th game of the IPL 2020 in Abu Dhabi on Monday (October 19).
However, Pathan, who was part of the franchise in the 2015 season, believes that if any team can bounce back from this situation and make it to the playoffs, then it is CSK led by MS Dhoni.
Pathan said on Star Sports: “If anyone can bounce back – from the seventh or eighth position, this is the team, CSK. CSK know very well how to handle the players, they make the players very comfortable. I was part of that squad in 2015. It’s all about the players.”
He continued, “This franchise knows how to run cricket for 21-22 years. In the Chennai league as well, they run the team the same way. It’s all about players. You go out and perform, we will back you up.”
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The former Indian all-rounder hopes that charismatic skipper Dhoni could take three-time IPL champions CSK forward from their current situation in the ongoing IPL 13.
Pathan further said, “We know CSK have been good over the years, this year they’ve had problems with Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina not being there, quite a few injuries as well. But still, we hope, just because they have a good captain Dhoni, who’s had so much success in IPL cricket, that he will take the team forward even with the kind of situation they are in at the moment.”
Recalling his stint with CSK in 2015, former all-rounder-turned-commentator said: “I’ve been part of a few franchises where the flights used to be early morning. After you finish the game at 11: 30 in the night, you go back and sleep by 2, get up at 6 in the morning, your recovery gets messed up.”
Pathan signed off, “But CSK made sure that the flights and the players after the game will be later – after 12 or 2 in the afternoon, which means players will recover nicely. These are the small things.”