Dhoni hand in Noor’s return to form

CHENNAI: In Chennai Super Kings’ dim season last year, they found solace in the craft of Noor Ahmad. The left-arm wrist-spinner was one of the few bright spots as he finished second on the wicket-takers’ chart with 24 scalps in 14 matches.

This season, however, as CSK found themselves in familiar early trouble, the young Afghan too looked out of rhythm. He went wicketless in the team’s first three defeats and managed 1-36 off three in the fourth.

But on Tuesday, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Noor rediscovered his touch in CSK’s second successive win, this time against Kolkata Knight Riders. Back in conditions that suited him, he delivered a ‘Player of the Match’ performance, returning 3 for 21 in four overs. And CSK’s assistant bowling coach Sridharan Sriram informed that MS Dhoni had a role in Noor’s revival.

“There was a little bit of help for him from the pitch. I think he was a little bit slower through the air; there was more side spin on the ball, and there was more drop. So that’s something he’s been working on. Even MS had a long chat with him in one of the practice sessions, getting his leg break to go. So, I think it was very helpful for him, and the results were there to show,” said the coach.

Noor now hopes to build on this performance. “It was difficult; the first few matches were tough for me and my team,” said Noor after the match. “I was working in my training session, on my grip and other things. To perform like this and win the game, I think we would like to carry it forward as a team and hopefully to win a lot of matches,” said Noor.

The 21-year-old said it wasn’t a typically spin-friendly Chepauk pitch. “There wasn’t a lot of turn, but there was a bit of hold, and that gave us the advantage to hit the right lengths and areas. I think that’s what worked for me and (left-arm spinner) Akeal Hosein.”

Watching from the other end, Akeal was pleased to see Noor back to his best. “Very happy for Noor. The last couple of games, he was struggling, but it’s good to see him get some success and confidence behind him,” he said.