IPL 2020 is almost halfway through and the points table is as dramatic as it can get. The teams who entered the tournament as heavy favourites have struggled and one of them is the three-times champion, Chennai Super Kings.
Super Kings have surprisingly lost five of their seven matches! It is safe to say that CSK is in amidst of a do or die situation. They will have to win six of their remaining seven matches or at least five with a healthy run-rate and wait for the cards to fall in the right places. Super Kings have always qualified for the playoffs in their 12-year history of the IPL. Clearly, there’s a strong chance of this particular streak being ended.
CSK has been facing some troubles even before the tournament had started. The COVID-19 pandemic tailored the CSK camp as 13 of their staff including two players were tested positive. This unfortunate incident was followed by two of their veterans Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh withdrawing from the tournament.
Coach Stephen Fleming clearly frustrated!
However, despite having some really good alternative options, the side is clearly struggling. Frustrated head coach Stephen Fleming opened about the issues holding the franchise back.
“If we don’t get a good start at the top with our two overseas players, we’re falling into a hole. So we’re looking for positive solutions. What I’d like is a little bit more intensity through the middle overs. We’ve got plenty of batting, and while we’re recovering pretty well, we are just ending up with too much to do at the back”, he said at a press conference.
Fleming also agreed with the fact that the side is an ageing team with the highest average age of 30.5 years among all the IPL teams.
“If you look at a couple of other factors, this one is an ageing team. Also, the conditions…the spinners at this stage are playing a small role but still not playing the substantial role we are used to. We are looking for ways to compete and change the style of play, given we have been so consistent with our selections. We are certainly scrapping…trying to find a way, it is a bit foreign and the results are showing,” Fleming admitted.
CSK should have an eye on the ‘Mid-season transfer‘ which will allow them to have players from other teams, provided they should have not played more than two matches for their current team. Commentator Harsha Bhogle suggested CSK should target Delhi Capitals’ Ajinkya Rahane. They can also consider players like Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Saurabh Tiwary, etc.
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