Rayudu-Dhoni Plays the Role of ‘Double Pivot’

Chennai Super Kings’ comeback season to the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League has been proving very successful, thanks to the double efforts of MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu.

Cricket News: The emergence of Rayudu and Dhoni in the middle order has lifted CSK’s title hope

Chennai had badly wanted Kedar Jadhav in their side because of Jadhav’s recent exploits in the middle order for the national side. Moreover they wanted a new finisher as the finishing ability of MS Dhoni was waning and it seemed that Dwayne Bravo had lost his batting touch in the recent years.

CSK won Jadhav in the auction but soon lost him, as after the first match it was confirmed that he would no longer be able to play because of a hamstring injury which he picked up while sealing a win against Mumbai.

But even after that CSK have reached the top of the points table. They have scored the most runs in the final five overs than any other team, and all their wins came in a dramatic way. This has all happened because of the brilliant performances of Dhoni and Rayudu.

It seems that Dhoni might have travelled back into the past as he is performing like the way he did in his prime years. He has become very brutal both against pace and spin, striking them at a rate of almost 170, and is willing to take chance from the very beginning as the fear of failing is not holding him back.

Rayudu has been a floater for CSK, as he has proved his worth both as an opener and also as a middle-order batsman. He was not everyone’s first choice at the beginning, but currently he is the Orange Cap holder as he has scored 370 runs at an average of 46 along with a strike rate of 156.

“The flexibility that Rayudu has had has really impressed me,” du Plessis said after CSK’s 13-run win over Delhi Daredevils where Rayudu contributed with a 24-ball 41. “I think that ability to come in at 4 and 5,and score boundaries straightaway not a lot of people can do that, some people need to take a bit of time and get their eye in where he can put you under pressure. So with Suresh (Raina) at 3 and him at 4, you know if we get off to solid starts, the two of them can just come in and play their natural game which is very dangerous for oppositions. Purely the way Rayudu has been batting in the middle I think it’s a massive skill so if it was up to me I would make sure I use Rayudu’s form at number four.”

In a game of football, the role of a ‘double pivot’ in the midfield of a team is a key one as allow the attackers to thrive and can also become a potent threat when needed. CSK have also found their ‘double pivot’ in Rayudu and Dhoni, who are allowing the top order to perform freely before they come and fulfil their roles.

There is currently no other better duo in the current season of IPL and the opposition teams are already making special plans to stop this partnership and to counter their effectiveness.