A 2018 IPL winner and a finalist last year, Chennai Super Kings are in the midst of a confusing campaign this season. Out of seven games, MS Dhoni’s CSK have won just two, and a fifth loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday has taken a toll on their campaign in a big way. With 4 points, CSK ranks sixth in the points table and if the team hopes to qualify for the Playoffs, now is the moment of truth.
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Batting weaknesses have been a common pattern behind CSK’s loss in the last two games. Against Kolkata Knight Riders, CSK, chasing 168, couldn’t get the job done when the ball appeared to be in their court. Against RCB on Saturday, one more, the batting is what let them down, as the whole team managed to chase 170 to win, it was 132.
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This was after CSK blurted out the game with RCB at 93/4. Virat Kohli and Shivam Dube added 67 undefeated runs in just 5.3 overs with the RCB captain batting 90 undefeated to lead his team’s charge. CSK went without a window in the final five overs, a fact Dhoni regretted, along with the team’s “lack of power” in the hitting department.
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“I think the last four overs when we were bowling, we just needed to close well. The hitting was a bit worrisome and it was evident today as well. We need to do something about it. I think it is better to play backwards, playing the bigger shots even if you go out. That’s something we can do in the next matches, ”Dhoni said after the match.
“I think it also depends on how you’ve performed so far in the tournament and our hitting has been a bit lacking in power from sixth onwards. People can get tentative no matter how much confidence you give them. I think that’s where we have not adapted or devised plans against bowlers who are shooting from the 6th to the 14th. “
In the past, CSK turned the tables after a normal start to the season. In 2010, CSK won only two games of their first seven, but they roared to win the next four of the five and ultimately took the title. That kind of change is not an everyday affair for an IPL team and Dhoni believes that in order to rectify the mistakes, it is important to detect and understand the loopholes that are plaguing the CSK.
“I always told the players to focus more on the process: when you start to think about the results of the previous game, you put a burden. With the bowling we have shown we can restrict the opposition. Either we leak at the beginning or the last four. There are too many holes in the boat, ”said the CSK captain.
“I think that in general you have to look at the combination, how many spinners, the fast players. There is always a place where you can play. We started with five bowlers, now we have six. But our main concern is still the hitting department. In the next games we will try to be more expressive. You’d rather go out on the 16th or the 17th. “
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