Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged opposition teams to not do the mistake of underestimating Chennai Super Kings despite the defending champions getting off to a poor start in IPL 2022. CSK have won only 2 off their first 7 matches and are in danger of getting ousted from the race to the play-offs early.

Chennai Super Kings are currently in the 9th spot in the 10-team IPL 2022 points table with 4 points, 8 behind newbies Gujarat Titans who are on top of the table.

Chennai Super Kings take on Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as they seek to take another step towards a comeback. However, CSK were hammered by PBKS in the reverse fixture wherein they were bowled out for 126 while chasing 181.

Pathan pointed out that CSK have bounced back from setbacks plenty of times in the past and that tt won’t be surprising if they do so once again. Notably, in IPL 2010, Chennai had won only 2 of their first 7 matches but they went on to win the trophy, the first of their 4 titles.

“No team can make the mistake of underestimating CSK. This is a team that knows how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. This team has done it many a time and that is why it has always been the most dangerous of sides in the history of the league,” Irfan Pathan told Star Sports.

DHONI ULTIMATE FINISHER

Furthermore, the former CSK all-rounder heaped praise on MS Dhoni, saying the former Chennai captain is the ultimate finisher.

Dhoni inspired a stunning finish for CSK against their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians on Friday. Needing 17 runs in the final over, Dhoni took Jaydev Unadkat to the cleaners, smashing a six and 2 boundaries to help the defending champions complete a 3-wicket victory.

“MS Dhoni is the greatest finisher in the history of IPL. Year after year, someone else has joined this list but no one has been able to displace Dhoni. He is the identity of this league, its true ambassador.

“If we talk about this season, it is pertinent to mention the names of Rahul Tewatia, Dinesh Karthik, and Shimron Hetmyer because they have been finishing the games continuously for their teams. But when it comes to the ultimate finisher, obviously only one name will come to the mind and that is Dhoni’s,” Pathan added.