This Indian Premier League season has been full of surprises. Former champions like CSK, MI, and KKR have struggled to make an impact so far. However, all eyes are on Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s Chennai Super Kings, who have won just one match and lost two. The big question is: what is going wrong for the five-time champions this season?
Chennai Super Kings faced Mumbai Indians in their first match of the season. Although they chased down the target, the game went to the final over and was far from convincing. Their weaknesses were exposed in the next two matches against RCB and RR, where they failed to chase 180+ targets. Their biggest concern this season has been their batting.
In both matches, middle-order batters like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and Vijay Shankar failed to make any significant contributions. The Super Kings have only two in-form batters—captain Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra. However, they have yet to receive support from the middle order.
Shivam Dube showed promise but struggled to convert his starts into big scores. CSK will be hoping he finds form soon to help them win matches. Another concern is the lack of a strong finisher alongside MS Dhoni. Against Rajasthan Royals, the target was achievable, but the batters failed to finish the game. To keep their playoff hopes alive, CSK must make some key changes to the team.
What changes can Chennai Super Kings make to reach the playoffs this season?
If the five-time champions want to qualify for the playoffs, they need to make changes starting from the next match. Many fans believe Devon Conway deserves a spot in the starting XI. Chennai has given opportunities to Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran, and Jamie Overton, but Conway hasn’t had a chance yet. In their fifth title-winning season, he was one of the squad’s most crucial players.
CSK management needs to utilize MS Dhoni to his full potential. Unfortunately, batting at number 9, his runs haven’t made much impact. If they use him as an impact player, they can strengthen their batting lineup with an extra player.
Shivam Dube needs to regain his form, as his runs will be crucial for CSK’s success. In bowling, Khaleel Ahmed is performing well, but he lacks support from other bowlers. Spinners like Jadeja and Ashwin are past their prime. If Chennai can address these issues, nothing can stop them from qualifying for the playoffs.
