England all-rounder Sam Curran has said his stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSSK) in IPL 2020 has helped take his game to a different level. Curran’s performance was one of the few positives for the three-time champions in an otherwise disastrous outing in this year’s IPL. The MS Dhoni-led side managed to win just six of its 14 league games.

As a result, CSK missed out on the playoffs stage for the first time in the history of IPL as they finished at the seventh place in the points table. Talking about Curran, he was backed to the hilt by MS Dhoni and the team management. The southpaw was one of the only four players to have played all the games for CSK in IPL 2020. He took 13 wickets and averaged 23.25 with the bat at a strike rate of 131.91.

The numbers, however, don’t reveal the entire story. Dhoni used him in different roles during the tournament and Sam Curran performed more often than not. In some matches, he opened the batting while in a few he played as a finisher. He regularly bowled with the new ball and was also used in the latter part of the games.

Really enjoyed the IPL, says Sam Curran

Sam Curran is currently in South Africa with England and has already made his mark. At a time when some big established names are struggling to find a place in England’s T20 side, Curran forced his way into the reckoning for the ongoing series through his breakthrough season for CSK. And the allrounder has not shied away from saying the same.

After taking three wickets in the first T20I, Curran agrees that this year’s IPL accelerated his learning. Having played for Kings XI Punjab in last year’s IPL, Sam Curran said that he enjoyed playing in IPL 2020. He also said that his game has improved a lot after he ‘took a lot away from the CSK players and the coaching staff’.

“Really enjoyed the IPL and feel I have taken my game to a different standard in terms of my learning. I took a lot away from that group and coaching staff at Chennai. I feel my game has improved since I went there and I want to keep trying to improve and become a regular,” said Curran.