Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Daredevils by 13 runs in the IPL on Monday. Kerala fast bowler KM Asif, playing his first game in the IPL for Chennai, picked up two wickets.
Chennai batted first and amassed 211 for four. Opener Shane Watson scored 78 while captain MS Dhoni hit an unbeaten 51.
In reply, the Daredevils made a valiant effort as they reached 198 for five with Rishabh Pant (79) and all-rounder Vijay Shankar (54) taking the team close.
With Chennai on top of the IPL table, here’s a look at fast bowler Asif’s debut performance.
STATISTICS
OVERS: 3
RUNS CONCEDED: 43
WICKETS: 2
ECONOMY: 14.3
30-SECOND REPORT
It was an inspiring performance by Asif. The opening burst by the 24-year-old was commendable as he got the scalps of Prithvi Shaw and Colin Munro through sheer pace. Asif, a product of the MRF Pace Foundation who is known to operate in the 140kph range, hurried most batsmen in Pune with his quick arm action. He beat Shaw and Munro on the pull shot, which is a great sight for fast bowlers.
GOT RIGHT
His pace and short-pitch deliveries were spot on. Asif didn’t take a step back even when Munro hit him for three successive boundaries, getting the Daredevils opener’s wicket off the final ball of the over. While he isn’t the tallest bowler going around, Asif showed great heart and must surely be on the radar of national selectors as India prepare for a long season away from home.
GOT WRONG
Gave away 43 runs. While the wickets section was encouraging, an economy of close to 15 is not acceptable. On a day when Daredevils quick Avesh Khan gave away 28 runs from his four and Chennai’s Lungi Ngidi just 26, Asif’s 43 runs from three stick out like a sore thumb. However, the fact that he picked up two top order wickets should keep Asif in the good books of Chennai’s management.
VERDICT: 6.5/10
Could have been an eight on debut but gave away too many runs. Overall, an impressive debut for Asif. He is the second fast bowler from Kerala to make an impact this IPL after Basil Thampi.
