IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings’ Dwayne Bravo believes experience can defeat youth in T20s

Chennai Super Kings’ star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, after his side’s IPL 2021 final win against the Kolkata Knight Riders, said that experience can any day defeat youth when it comes to the shortest format. CSK clinched their fourth IPL title on Friday at the Dubai International Stadium. 

CSK were nicknamed ‘Dad’s Army’ because in their 22-player squad, 11 are more than 30 years in age. Chennai seemed to have banked heavily on the experience of their players with Dwayne Bravo at 38, Faf du Plessis at 37, Ambati Rayudu (36) Robin Uthappa a few weeks short of his 36th birthday along with Moeen Ali (34) and Ravindra Jadeja (32). Some of CSK’s player have  retired from international cricket. 

However, the team scripted a comeback of sorts, winning the cup a year after they finished ninth in the league. 

Bravo also created a record of most T20 titles won. He surpassed his West Indies teammate Kieron Pollard. 

“That’s the first thing I’m going to do when I turn on my phone – let Kieron Pollard know this is the 16th (T20 titles he has won). He has some catching up to do. Belief in the squad from management, owners. After last season was really disappointing,” Bravo said after the win in the post-match presentation.

“Owed it to the franchise, the fans to come up with a better performance. Don’t get nervous (coming into a final). Have had good performance in different phases of the tournament.

Chennai’s openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis finished as the top two run scorers of the season. 

“Faf and Ruturaj stand out for us. To have these two guys scoring over 500 runs together. Experience beats youth any day. Going to change the name from Mr. Champion to Sir Champion,” he added.

After posting a mammoth 193-run target, Chennai managed to restrict Kolkata Knight Riders to 165 in the second innings.