Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar saw a renewed energy in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. CSK were in the bottom two last season, but they showed a terrific comeback in IPL 2021 and were on the second spot before the tournament suspension.

Gavaskar, in his column for the Sportstar, wrote that CSK looked completely different this season despite no major change in their squad. The MS Dhoni-led side won 5 out of 7 matches and lost only two before BCCI postponed IPL 2021 on May 4.

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“All the other teams were in top form with last year’s disappointing team, Chennai Super Kings, looking like the champion it usually had been all these years. There was a renewed energy about the team this time, though there were no major changes to its squad," Gavaskar wrote.

CSK bought Moeen Ali in the IPL 2021 auction for INR 7 crore and the move turned out to be worth the price as the England all-rounder strengthened their batting lineup. He was asked to bat at number 3 and Suresh Raina got pushed at number 4 by the team management.

“The promotion of Moeen Ali to the top of the order at No. 3 turned out to be a masterstroke as the left-handed batsman produced some blistering innings. The seasoned Faf du Plessis was in cracking form, too, and, along with the promising Ruturaj Gaekwad, gave the team some top starts.

“Sam Curran continues to impress and improve with every game and bids fair to be considered a proper all-rounder now. It’s the final overs’ bowling that the side needs to strengthen as was evident in the match against Mumbai when, despite scoring 218, it lost the game off the last ball,” Gavaskar further wrote.

(With Sportstar Inputs)