Playing in high-pressure situations at IPL has helped Sam Curran enormously, feels Thorpe
The 23-year-old, who plays for the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, snared a fifer (5/48) against Sri Lanka in the second ODI on Thursday to help England to a series clinching-win.
“I think it’s (IPL) helped him enormously,” Thorpe was quoted as saying by ‘EspnCricinfo’.
“Every environment Sam has gone into, he’s shown that ability to compete and an ability to find a way of putting performances in. From that perspective, playing in the IPL has put him in high-pressured situations and pushed him.”
Bought by CSK at the 2020 auctions, Curran has already become a vital cog in the scheme of things, with skipper Dhoni entrusting him with the bat and the ball during crucial times.
“His hitting ability with the bat was always there. I think that’s progressed to a really good level,” Thorpe said. “He’s bowling at important times in the IPL, so he’s put under pressure and challenged. At 23, he’s getting some really good experiences.”
Thorpe, who has taken charge of England’s ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka in the absence of head coach Chris Silverwood, feels Curran is a “real competitor”, who is improving everyday.
