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CSK and its uncharacteristic problems in IPL 2020 | Dissecting Chennai Super Kings’ problems so far in Indian Premier League 2020

We are just past halfway through the league stage of the Indian Premier League 2020 and there are few certainties as well as uncertainties that have panned out in the 29 matches so far. The Mumbai Indians lead the points table with 10 points in 7 games and are tied with the Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore on points. But, the defending champions are ahead on the Net Run Rate parameter.

As unusual as the events in the year 2020 have been, another one which adds to the list is that the Chennai Super Kings, consistently languishing in the bottom half of the points table so far in the tournament. The franchise has been facing uncharacteristic issues in this edition of the IPL. Let’s have a glance through them and what could be the possible remedies.

Chasing problems

The Chennai Super Kings chased in all their first seven games and the results were not pleasing. The middle-order, which has historically been one of CSK’s biggest strengths, has failed to take responsibility so far. The two wins so far have been possible due to the contribution of the top order. In the first game of the tournament, Ambati Rayudu and Faf Du Plessis scored 71 off 48 balls and 58 off 44 balls respectively to guide CSK to a comfortable victory over the defending champions Mumbai Indians. Against KXIP, the openers cruised to a 10 wicket win and the middle didn’t come in the picture.

In the other games, however, the approach of the team in the middle overs has been questionable. In 4 out of the 5 failed chases, CSK’ required run rate was past 12 RPO at the halfway mark and we are still to figure out the chase against KKR where Jadhav played perfect front-foot defence and denied singles to Jadeja as they failed to chase 168 after being 90-1 at the halfway mark.

Their run rate in the middle overs has been the worst in IPL 2020 with just 7.57 runs per over and that has been the prime reason why the chases have derailed so far.

In the history of the IPL, CSK has the best win percentage while chasing (among teams who have played more than two seasons). The 3-time champions have won 51 chases in 81 matches having a win percentage of 62.96.

This year though, it will be interesting to see whether CSK opt to bat first in the latter half of the tournament and are more comfortable while batting first. This was the case in their latest game against SRH, where they picked up a much-needed win.

Dhoni

One player’s form which is synonymous with CSK’s form has been MS Dhoni. There have been frequent occasions in the past, especially the last season when CSK has been rescued by an act of brilliance by the skipper. For instance in the 2019 season, Dhoni, with 416 runs at a strike rate of 134, was CSK’s best batsman and the franchise looked out of sorts when Dhoni was injured in a couple of games last season. They lost to MI at Chepauk and SRH at Hyderabad.

MSD has made 133 runs in seven innings and has not been anywhere close to his best so far. MS Dhoni’s form has never been a concern for the Super Kings and he will be crucial if they hope to turn around their fortunes in the second-half of the tournament.

Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav played the first six matches of the tourney for CSK and his scores were:

• 22 off 16 balls vs RR
• 26 off 21 balls vs DC
• 3 off 10 balls vs SRH
• 7 off 12 balls vs KKR

It is no coincidence that all of Jadhav’s innings have come in losses and the matches where he played but didn’t bat resulted in a victory for the Super Kings. Jadhav has been subject to a lot of criticism and was dropped for the seventh game against RCB.

But his replacement Jagadeeshan was not significantly better as he scored 33 off 38 balls. Did CSK choose the right replacement for Jadhav? They decided no, as they dropped Jagadeeshan next game, promoting Sam Curran to opener. It worked a charm, with Curran striking 31 off 21 balls vs SRH. So, as Stephen Fleming has mentioned, CSK could continue with this approach.

In the past, CSK has out of the hole and has been part of amazing turnarounds. If there is one man who can clean up the mess as soon as possible and make this side reach the latter stages, it is one and only one MS DHONI. If CSK change their approach, which they have already started to do, they still are contenders to make the playoffs.

Starts inputs from: The Cricket Panda and @_sudheesh

Written by Sarthak Karkhanis. Follow Sarthak on Twitter today.