Noor Ahmad bowls during the 2025 IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 14, 2025, in Lucknow
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Praising Noor Ahmad for his thrifty spell (4-0-13-0) in Chennai Super Kings’ five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, CSK bowling consultant Eric Simons added that the spinner’s “fantastic asset” is that he’s tough to read.
“When you’ve gone for only 13 in four overs, in a game like this, that sets up a win in many ways. So, certainly, from a bowling coach perspective, you recognise the fact that it’s not always wickets that you take, but it’s the wickets that you earn for your team.
“What I saw today was him bowling a lot more accurately. He bowled a little slower, which normally shows good confidence. But I’ve caught a lot of balls to a lot of spinners over the years in my role as a bowling coach, and he’s one I cannot read. He’s tough to read. And that’s obviously a fantastic asset to have,” he said at the post-match press conference.
Shaik Rasheed ‘exciting’
Speaking about the 20-year-old debutant Shaik Rasheed, he said: “I think he was ready about a year ago. A lot of guys talk about how he reminds them of a young Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) in just the way he plays and his shot-making. Just his ability to hit the ball cleanly and play his game is exciting.
“We have a cap-handing-over ceremony and the applause that he received was a testament to the popularity of the young guy. He obviously hasn’t played for a few years, but he’s never stopped working, smiling and being a positive guy in the room.”
Published – April 15, 2025 01:18 pm IST
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