Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who turned the clock back to finish off the Chennai Super Kings’ last match with a six, is relieved that his boys have secured a play-offs berth. But that doesn’t mean that they will take the foot off the gas when they face Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

From the hurt of failing to qualify for the play-offs for the first time last year to being the first side to earn a play-offs spot this year, the Super Kings have authored quite a turnaround.

How desperate were they? “It (qualifying for the last-four stage) means a lot, because the last time we said we wanted to come back strong. We are known for that and there was a lot at stake,” Dhoni said after the Sunrisers Hyderabad match.

“You won’t always win games and a lot didn’t go our way last time, and it’s important not to make excuses… we have done it this year.”

On paper, the Super Kings are much stronger than their Saturday’s opponents. Rajasthan have struggled — they have eight points to Super Kings’ 18 — and are placed second from bottom. They have to win all their remaining matches, and win handsomely, to have any chance of making the play-offs.

But in Super Kings, Rajasthan face a big hurdle. Dhoni’s side has four consecutive wins under their belt, with top-class performances in both the batting and bowling departments. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Dwayne Bravo and the others have made Dhoni’s job easier this time.

The same cannot be said about Dhoni’s counterpart, Sanju Samson. While captain Samson has been in fine form with the bat, the others in his team have failed to rise to the challenges. Chris Morris, the highest paid IPL player this season, has been the biggest letdown for Rajasthan this time.