Pakistan's bowling great Wasim Akram simmered down Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) captaincy debate as he pitched a new name in the fray for the leadership role for the four-time champions.
Akram batted for Rahane to take the onus of CSK's captaincy after Dhoni. Rahane has so far amassed 224 runs in seven matches at a stunning strike rate of 189.83. Rahane has notched two half centuries as his best performance came to the fore against Kolkata Knight Riders when he scored an unbeaten 71.
Rahane's recent exploits in IPL and earlier in domestic set up earned him a spot in India's Test squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, which will be played at the Ovals from June 7.
Akram said that Rahane can be an ideal replacement for the legendary Dhoni in future for the Yellow Army as he thinks the star batter is the best option for the leadership role.
“CSK had tried Ravindra Jadeja as captain in IPL 2022 and saw that his own performances were getting affected. They had to change the captain. I think they won’t get a better option than Rahane as he can become consistent and is a local player. We have seen that local players are more successful in franchise cricket” Akram told Sportskeeda.
Akram doesn't want any foreigner to become CSK's captain.
“As for foreign players, they don’t even remember players’ names, so how can they lead. So, I think Rahane is an excellent choice to lead Chennai if Dhoni says he’s had enough. CSK might have their own plans, but they are a franchise that plan by putting a lot of thought, epitomized by Stephen Fleming, who knows the team culture inside and out and the players also trust him fully” Akram added.
The 56-year-old also wants Dhoni-led CSK to win the IPL 2023 title.
“It’ll be a dream come true for someone, who has achieved a lot for India as captain,” Wasim Akram said. “I want that even God helps a player like Dhoni. I want CSK to win and Dhoni to sign off from the IPL that way. In a ten-team tournament, the first plan is to finish within the top four. When you come into the top four, you aim to come in the top two. Hence, that should be the initial plan for all teams” Akram concluded.
Meanwhile, CSK suffered a four-wicket defeat at the hands of Punjab Kings with Sikandar Raza holding his nerve to knock off the required three runs off the final ball in a tense IPL match at the Chepauk Stadium on Sunday (April 30).
Chasing 201 for a win, Punjab needed nine runs from the final over bowled by Matheesha Pathirana who conceded just two from the first three deliveries. But Raza remained calm under immense pressure, scoring two runs each from the next two deliveries.
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