Time is fast running out for the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, a team which desperately needs its batting to click when it takes on Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Tuesday.
CSK are seeking a revival of fortunes after suffering five defeats in seven games, which has left them second from bottom in the standings halfway into the tournament.
Once known for their prowess while chasing, CSK’s batting struggle this year can be gauged from the fact that all their defeats have come while going after targets.
While Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis have had decent outings so far, CSK need a stronger show from their faltering middle order. After facing brickbats for persisting with Kedar Jadhav, CSK dropped him in their last match and his replacement Narayan Jagadeesan (33 off 28), made a decent score in the company of Ambati Rayudu (42 off 40). However, CSK's chase fell apart after the duo departed.
The likes of Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo too failed to come to the team’s rescue.
Dhoni himself has not been able to force the pace while chasing.
“Batting has been a bit of a worry. We need to do something about it,” Dhoni admitted after the loss to RCB on Saturday. “I think we are better off playing the other way round — play the big shots and even if you get out, it is fine because we can’t leave too many after the 15th or the 16th over. That just puts too much pressure on the lower order batsmen.”
On the bowling front, Deepak Chahar and Jadeja were impressive the other night and Bravo’s return was a welcome relief but the likes of Curran, Shardul Thakur and Karn Sharma need to pull up their performances.
Tuesday’s tie also provides Dhoni and Co. with a chance to avenge their seven-run loss to SRH in their previous outing.
Sunrisers, on the other hand, are a only a tad better-placed than CSK at the fifth spot. But the five-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals on Sunday would be hurting David Warner’s outfit badly as at one stage, they looked in complete control after posting a competitive 158 for 4.
Today’s match
- Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings, Dubai (7.30pm IST)
