CSK: Hat-Trick Of Defeats But Still Into Playoffs

Chennai Super Kings have comfortably qualified to the playoffs quite early but they have a concern now. The MS Dhoni-led side lost its last three matches. It means CSK is entering the playoffs with three consecutive defeats.

CSK lost its final league game tonight against Punjab Kings. KL Rahul’s spectacular batting performance has helped Punjab in chasing a target of 135 in just 13 overs. With this win, Punjab’s playoff hopes are still alive but the results of KKR v RR and MI v SRH should go in their way.

Before the match with Punjab, CSK lost against Delhi and Rajasthan. CSK batted first in those games as well. CSK likes to chase targets and their batting depth gives the batsmen the confidence to play freely when batting second.

But they seem shaky while batting first. We cannot brush off CSK’s abilities with these three results but these defeats cannot be ignored too. Dhoni needs to come up with a plan to handle the first batting woes in order to play well in the playoffs.

CSK is almost guaranteed a top-two berth in the points table and they will face Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 1. RCB needs to make around 200 runs tomorrow and win the match by 163 runs in order to finish in the top-two. As that is an almost impossible task, CSK will finish in the top two for sure.

They will face DC in Qualifier 1. DC has beaten CSK twice this season. So, it is not going to be an easy task for CSK in the playoffs this time. It has to be seen how Dhoni and co. fares in this crucial stage of the tournament.