CSK Trying To Fix Something That Ain't Broke: Knight On Curran Playing For Conway

Sam Curran playing instead of Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi opening the batting and Ruturaj Gaikwad batting at number three are combinations that have left experts and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) supporters in a bewildered state after the first two games in the Indian Premier League. 

Former England star Nick Knight, commenting on the same, said that CSK are trying to fix something that ain’t broke. He further said that Devon Conway deserves a place in the CSK playing 11 on the virtue of what he did in the last two seasons. 

"In my top order, I'd have Devon Conway. I'm surprised he's not playing. I'd play both of them [Conway and Rachin]. I'm going to leave Sam Curran out. I just feel that Gaikwad and Conway at the top are tried and tested. I'm not saying it's right by any means, but when you look at it - Conway has a terrific record,” Knight said on ESPNcricinfo. 

The former England batter further said that by batting MS Dhoni at number 7, the Chennai batting lineup would look sorted. 

"Rachin can bat at No. 3, more than capable. And you work down from there. The only thing about that is that Dhoni may have to bat at No. 7, which he's sometimes reluctant to do, and sometimes wants to bat lower than that. He's made 30 of 16, effected a brilliant stumping. I'd encourage them to get him to No. 7.

“If you go Conway, Gaikwad, Ravindra, Hooda, Dube, Jadeja, Dhoni - that's a decent line-up,” Knight concluded. 

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was also present on the panel, was shocked by CSK head coach Stephen Fleming’s admission of not having home advantage at Chepauk. 

"It is [surprising] because at CSK you can't complain, it's one franchise where they've been preparing pitches according to their strengths. You should [use home advantage]; if he's saying that [there is no home advantage] they don't have a say, then I'm quite surprised,” said the man who was once part of the CSK franchise as a player.