It would be the similar story for them once more”

Former India opener Virender Sehwag made a huge statement on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after their 103-run victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI). After their previous defeat, CSK returned to winning ways with a solid performance.

While Chennai emerged victorious, Virender Sehwag highlighted a concern. He pointed out that Sanju Samson was the only batter scoring runs for them at the top, with an in-form Ayush Mhatre ruled out. Sehwag reckoned that should Samson fail and the other batters do not perform, CSK could struggle once again.

“We are praising Chennai now but only one batter is scoring right now. The day he fails and others do not score, it will be the same story for them again. You cannot be dependent on one batter. Mhatre was scoring but he is out. They will hope for Gaikwad, Dube, Brevis and these guys to come to form and support Samson,” he said on Cricbuzz.

Sanju Samson slammed his second hundred of the season and fifth IPL ton overall. On the back of his scintillating innings, CSK posted a total of 207/6 after batting first. They then bowled Mumbai out for 104 in just 19 overs. Sehwag also praised Samson for his sensational knock.

“Either he gets out within 10 runs or he scores big if a gets a start. It is a good thing that he converts the starts. Regular wickets were falling in this game so he had to play with a little responsibility as well. But it was a brilliant knock. He quietly did his job and it was very smooth.”

Samson remained unbeaten on 101 off 54 balls with 10 fours and six maximums at a strike rate of 187.04.

“It was a proper complete failure” – Former India pacer on MI’s huge defeat against CSK

Former India pacer Mohit Sharma reckoned MI’s loss against CSK was a complete failure. He highlighted that even in the previous game that Mumbai won, it was Tilak Varma who single-handedly scored with the bat. Mohit reckoned that MI would need the senior players to step up and shoulder more responsibility going forward.

“In the game that they won also, only Tilak had scored. It was a proper complete failure. If Mumbai have to step up, their senior players have to move forward, the extra responsibility is on them. How Surya scores, how the captain makes decisions and keeps his performance with that, all this will have to be seen,” he said. (via the aforementioned source)

Suryakumar Yadav has scored just 156 runs from seven games so far. Hardik Pandya has only 97 runs from six innings. MI, eighth on the points table, will need consistent contributions from their senior players if they are to bounce back.