IPL 2019: 5 strategic masterstrokes of the season

#4 Introduction of Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran might prove to be a huge asset in the middle order for KXIP in the years to come. (Pic courtesy - BCCI/iplt20.com)

The highly talented Caribbean wicket-keeper batsman was not a first choice pick for Kings XI Punjab. They continued to give a longer rope to David Miller, and Pooran was in and out of the team for the most part of the season. However, the latter half of the season saw Pooran getting extended chances, and he delivered.

KXIP played him alongside Miller, sometimes sending him ahead of the South African in the batting order. As he got a longer run and more confidence from the management, Pooran found his groove and scored at a strike rate of 173 in the last four innings.

Going into the next season, Pooran should find a place in the starting XI, most likely at number four.

#3 Using Deepak Chahar at the death

Deepak Chahar flourished under the pressure of death bowling as the season progressed. (Pic courtesy - BCCI/iplt20.com)

The Chennai Super Kings were dented by the injury to Lungi Ngidi and were left short of death bowling options even before the tournament started. An injury to Bravo mid-way through the season made matters worse, and MS Dhoni was forced to move out of his comfort zone.

Deepak Chahar, someone who prospered with the new ball in 2018 and was not even considered for death bowling until then, was given the task of bowling the penultimate over while defending against Kings XI Punjab at home. A nervy start with a string of wides and no balls followed by a stare from Dhoni was more than made up by Chahar as he sent back the dangerous David Miller.

Chahar was then given the responsibility to share the death bowling burden with Bravo. He repaid the captain's faith and turned out to be the best death bowler for CSK of the season.

Going forward, Chahar looks all set to spearhead the CSK pace attack, both at the start as well as the death.