Virender Sehwag reveals why Morne Morkel was dropped for Sunny Gupta against CSK in IPL 2012 playoffs

Sunny Gupta hadn't played in the season till the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2012.

Morne Morkel and Virender Sehwag | BCCI-IPL

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) captain, has finally opened up about his decision to drop in-form Morne Morkel for the off-spinner Sunny Gupta in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2012. Gupta hadn't played in the season till the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2012.

Well, Sehwag’s decision backfired and he was criticized heavily, as the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) crushed Delhi by 86 runs in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2012 to reach the final.

However, CSK lost the final battle by 5 wickets to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

Read Also: 'If Rishabh Pant goes on to play 100-plus Tests, his name would be etched in history books'- Virender Sehwag

After 10 years, Sehwag finally revealed that he decided to drop their highest wicket-taker of IPL 20212 Morkel because of the presence of the left-handers in the CSK’s playing XI.

There were Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, Albie Morkel, and Ravindra Jadeja among left-handed batters in the CSK’s playing XI for the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2012, which forced them to drop Morkel to bring in Sunny Gupta.

Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz: “There used to be this off-spinner in our team named Sunny (Gupta). I decided to play him straight away in the playoffs against Chennai Super Kings because I thought they had three left-handed batters, and I will bowl him against left-handers.”

He added, “I gave him the first over, but Murali Vijay didn't let me bowl Sunny again in the entire innings (Sunny ended with figures of 0/47 in three overs). So, these things happen. Sometimes, such changes can click. Because the opposition hadn't seen that bowler, no one has played against him.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 27 May, 2022

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