MATCH STORY
Follow UsSeven innings played, four positions batted in, only five sixes hit and zero knocks of substance.
It’s been a tough introduction to the yellow of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Daryl Mitchell, who five months ago was bought by the Super Kings at the auction for INR 14 crore.
It’s not often the case that CSK shell out big bucks for overseas players. Prior to Mitchell, in their history, the Super Kings had only ever signed one overseas player for more than 10 crore. That was Ben Stokes, whose stint with the franchise came to a rather abrupt end.
That CSK were willing to exhaust 45% of their auction budget on one individual, that too on a foreigner, was a testament to the franchise’s faith in Mitchell. They identified him as the perfect Ambati Rayudu replacement and, hence, went all out to secure his services.
At the time of his purchase, Mitchell, despite being ultra-expensive, felt like an ideal fit for the Super Kings’ middle-order due to his experience, adaptability, and versatility, all of which he showcased in the 50-over World Cup.
But seven innings into IPL 2024, it’s been a monumental struggle for the New Zealander: neither has he settled nor has he been able to influence games with the bat.
Post a painful 14-ball 17 against Mumbai Indians (MI) that saw him nearly cost CSK the game at a critical stage — before being rescued by MS Dhoni’s superman rescue act — the 32-year-old got axed for the contest against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow, being replaced by Moeen Ali, who played a brisk cameo (30 off 20) on his return to the side.
But on April 23 (Tuesday), in the reverse fixture against Lucknow, the wretched form of countryman Rachin Ravindra paved the way back into the team for Mitchell.
Walking into bat in the second over of the match, the right-hander had a golden opportunity to announce his arrival in Yellow in front of the Chennai faithful. But, instead, he ended up adding to his woes through a knock that sort of summed up his season.
On a pretty true Chepauk surface, Mitchell came out swinging, trying to ‘hit his way’ into form.
It’s a ploy that’s worked for many batters in the past, but it wasn’t to be for Mitchell on the night. For, what ended up ensuing was an ugly hoick-fest that resulted in the 32-year-old finishing with 11 off 10 balls.
He attacked a whopping 70% of the deliveries he faced (more on this later). The right-hander even got a life on his second ball, that made many suspect whether he was destined to ‘go big’. Yet despite all this, he perished for 11, hitting a solitary boundary during his stay before getting dismissed in tame fashion, smashing a ‘hit me’ delivery straight into the hands of the fielder at mid-wicket.
That’s seven innings for Mitchell in CSK colours now where he’s faced 10+ deliveries. Yet he’s failed to register a strike rate of more than 135.00 in any of his knocks, striking at under 125.00 in 70% of his innings in the season.
Unlike most underperforming middle-order batters, intent has not been a problem for Mitchell. This season, he’s among 25 batters (who have faced 100+ balls) to have attacked more than 60% of the deliveries he’s faced. He’s, in fact, attacked more deliveries than Riyan Parag, Jitesh Sharma, and Rohit Sharma, among others.
Yet he’s registered the third-lowest strike rate among batters who have faced more than 100 balls. Among those who have maintained an attack percentage over 60%, his strike rate is, by a distance, the worst.
It’s a good indicator of how the New Zealander has simply been trying too hard to make things happen. To his dismay, it’s just not been happening for him.
Mitchell’s form is far from the only thing that’s not gone perfect for CSK this season, but the 32-year-old not settling in has certainly held back the Men in Yellow from dominating the competition like they did last season.
With most franchises, when a big signing endures a torrid run, there’s almost a sense of inevitability about the said individual being a non-factor for the entirety of the season before ultimately getting released at the end of the campaign.
But CSK are not the most franchises. Historically, there have been multiple instances where a player has started off poorly and written off as a result, only for the same individual to come clutch towards the end of the campaign to ultimately help the side.
Mitchell has thus far endured a forgettable start but with still half a season left, CSK will be hoping that the veteran pulls off a Shane Watson and unleashes his beast mode when push comes to shove.
Considering CSK’s history, you’d be a brave person to bet against Mitchell turning around his season come the second half.
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