CLT20: Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad- Five talking points

Yes, Albie Morkel is in CSK’s playing eleven

Albie Morkel has bowled only 3 overs in the tournament

Albie Morkel is one of the four overseas players in the CSK line-up. Yet I would not be surprised to see someone doubting whether he is actually a part of the team. Morkel, who has not faced a single delivery yet, has only bowled a total of 3 overs in two completed matches.

Looking at his stats in the past four seasons, the big-hitting all-rounder has faced 37, 68, 102 and 131 balls in the last four seasons respectively (in reverse chronological order from 2013).

To put things in perspective, Vijay faced 339 deliveries in the 2011 IPL, one more than what Morkel has managed in four seasons.

Since the arrival of Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo, his batting skills have not been utilized properly. He does not merit a place in the playing eleven based on his bowling, neither is he exceptional with the new ball nor useful at the death.

So, what purpose does he serve in the line-up? Wouldn’t it be prudent to replace him with Faf Du Plessis who could open the innings as well and make the CSK batting order look even more menacing?