Chennai Super Kings will be under a lot of pressure to defend their IPL title, says R Ashwin
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will be looking for a hat-trick of Indian Premier League (IPL) titles as they start their campaign against Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here tomorrow.
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R Ashwin celebrates the wicket of Chris Gayle during the last IPL final against RCB in Chennai on May 28, 2011. Pic/AFP
However, star offie Ravichandran Ashwin said that the side would be under pressure to defend the title in the fifth edition of the tournament. “This is going to be an interesting season for CSK because we have lot of pressure on us to defend the title. More so, as we have some injury concerns,” Ashwin told reporters yesterday.
“There will be back-to-back matches in early April which we have to be wary of,” he added.
Ashwin, however, emphasised on peaking at the right time. “It is more of league phases and peaking at the right time. Last season we peaked at the right time. We will have to look to do the same,” said Ashwin, who claimed 20 wickets in the last IPL.
u00a0Admitting that Chennai Super Kings have good variety in spin with the likes of left-armer Shadab Jakati and new recruit Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin felt the onus will be on the batsmen. “In the longer format, a bowler can win the game. But in the shorter version, a bowler can only set up. The batsmen have to win the game. Even if the opponent gets 180 and if the batsmen get going, it would not be enough,” he said.
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