Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan took a sly dig at renowned cricket commentator and analyst Harsha Bhogle over his remarks on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). For the unversed, Bhogle put out a post saying that CSK were 20 runs short of the par score during their IPL 2024 match against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium last week. He explained that “with a bit of dew coming in and not many bowling options” CSK might struggle to defend the target against a batting-heavy MI side.
“206 is a fine score but on this surface, with a bit of dew coming in and not many bowling options, #CSK will think they needed another 20,” Bhogle had posted on X.
Sivaramakrishnan, however, blasted Bhogle for his prediction.
“You guys love to put Chennai guys down, you have done it with me but not with csk. Mumbai freaks,” Sivaramakrishnan replied on Bhogle’s post.
The 58-year-old didn’t stop here as he also questioned Bhogle’s contribution towards Indian cricket.
“Really wonder what your contribution is to Indian cricket,” he said in another response.
Sivaramakrishnan, however, deleted his replies on Bhogle’s post.
Contrary to Bhogle’s post, the CSK bowlers executed their plans to perfection, restricting MI to 186/6 in the chase, as the visitors won the game by 20 runs.
MI were flying at 70/0 at one stage but lost two wickets in the space of three deliveries.
Former MI skipper Rohit Sharma slammed an unbeaten century but his knock wasn’t enough on the night.
Rohit, who was stripped of his captaincy ahead of the tournament, smashed 105 off just 63 balls but none of his teammates, including current skipper Hardik Pandya, contributed much with the bat.
After the match, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar launched a scathing attack on Hardik over his leadership qualities.
“Absolutely ordinary bowling, ordinary captaincy,” he told Star Sports.
Amid Hardik’s criticism, MI batting coach Kieron Pollard he was “sick and fed up” of the flak levelled at the all-rounder.
“I am sick and fed up of (people) looking to pinpoint individuals,” Pollard was quoted as saying after the game.
