The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), have not had the smoothest start in the 18th edition of the tournament. While they began their campaign with a thrilling victory against their arch-rivals, the Mumbai Indians, the momentum did not last long. Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), putting them in a tough position early in the season.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Message to Fans
Following their defeat against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, CSK’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja took to social media to reassure fans that better days were ahead. Jadeja shared a picture of himself alongside the legendary MS Dhoni, captioning it with a hopeful message: “Things will change.” This statement served as a source of motivation for CSK supporters, indicating that the team was determined to bounce back and regain its winning form.
CSK’s Thrilling Chase Against Rajasthan Royals
In their match against the Rajasthan Royals, CSK found themselves in a challenging position. With 39 runs required off the final two overs, hopes were pinned on the experienced duo of MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. They managed to accumulate 19 runs in the penultimate over, bringing the equation down to 20 runs needed from the final six deliveries.
Sandeep Sharma, the Rajasthan Royals pacer, was given the responsibility of bowling the last over. A wide on the first delivery raised CSK fans’ hopes, and with Dhoni at the crease, a dramatic finish seemed possible. However, on the very next ball, the former Indian captain was dismissed, dashing CSK’s chances of pulling off a remarkable victory. Eventually, CSK fell short by just six runs, allowing Rajasthan Royals to secure their first win of the season. Dhoni departed after scoring 16 runs off 11 balls, while Jadeja remained unbeaten with a resilient 32 off 22 balls.
Why is MS Dhoni Batting Lower Down the Order?
A significant talking point in CSK’s recent matches has been MS Dhoni’s batting position. Against the Rajasthan Royals, he walked in at No. 7, while in their previous game against RCB, he was sent in at No. 9, sparking criticism and concern among fans. Addressing the issue, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming provided insights into Dhoni’s strategic batting placement.
Fleming explained that Dhoni is managing knee issues, which limit his ability to bat for extended periods. “MS judges it. His knees aren’t what they used to be, and while he is moving fine, there is an attrition aspect to it. He cannot bat for 10 overs at full intensity, so he assesses what he can contribute on any given day,” said Fleming. He further clarified that Dhoni prefers to step in during the final stages of an innings, especially when the game is on the line. “If the situation demands, he will go in earlier, but he also backs other players when there are opportunities available.”
CSK’s Position in the Points Table and Upcoming Fixtures
As of now, Chennai Super Kings find themselves in the seventh position on the IPL 2024 points table. While the early setbacks have put them in a difficult spot, there is still plenty of time to turn things around. Their next challenge comes against the Delhi Capitals, scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
With the unwavering leadership of MS Dhoni, the determination of Ruturaj Gaikwad, and the resilience of experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja, CSK will look to regain their winning momentum and climb up the points table in the upcoming matches.
With a passion for news writing and a deep interest in Journalism, Bowrna wants to write articles that create an impact. Not only writing, she also has a passion for voiceovers and also aspires to become a Radio Jockey in the future. When not writing, she likes to listen to songs and dance to her heart's content. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi.
Comments