IPL 2024: 3 Changes Chennai Super Kings should make to get back to winning ways

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured their second win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to move up to the fifth position in the points table. Earlier, they demolished Mumbai Indians and now dominated another five-time champion with a clinical six-wicket win at their home turf — the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were outmuscled in both departments, and they now have suffered two consecutive defeats.

After winning the toss, the SRH bowlers put up an impressive show to restrict the visitors to a below-par total. Rachin Ravindra fell early, but Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane kept the scoreboard ticking. Dube did his usual job, scoring 45 off 24, while Rahane 35 runs at a concerning strike-rate.

The hosts managed to pull things back after Cummins sent the dangerous Dube back to the hut. The slower balls did the trick for the home side, and they managed to restrict a power packed CSK unit. The scoreboard was never a threat to a formidable batting unit that posted the highest score in tournament history (277) in the last week.

Batting in reply, Abhishek Sharma gave a fiery start as he hammered 27 runs in the second over against Mukesh Choudhary. Deepak Chahar ended the fireworks, but the damage was already done. Aiden Markram and Travis Head played aggressively and put them far ahead in the chase. The Proteas batter departed after notching up a half-century, but ensured that the game was in complete control.

Also Check: IPL 2023 Points Table

Here are the 3 changes that Chennai Super Kings need to make before their next match against KKR:

1. Drop Daryl Mitchell, give Moeen Ali a consistent run

Daryl Mitchell seems to be a misfit in the CSK line-up. The Kiwi batter has so far lacked aggression in his batting, which failed to provide much-needed impetus to their middle order. Mitchell's highest strike rate in this tournament so far is 130 against Delhi Capitals, and he managed to score over 30 runs in just one innings.

CSK are not benefiting from his all-round abilities as well. All this highlights the need to drop Mitchell from the XI, and give Moeen Ali, who has been brilliant for the former franchise, a consistent run. The English all-rounder was picked for the match against SRH but did not get a chance to bat. However, he picked up a couple of important wickets, and stemmed the flow of runs for the visiting side, proving his solidity in the defending champions set up.

2. Ruturaj Gaikwad needs to step up 

Looking at his stats, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a slow starter all season. We see a similar trend this time too, but the opening batter is now the captain of the team and has to shoulder the responsibility. Gaikwad is yet to score a half-century this season and moreover, he fails to provide a solid powerplay for the team.

On the other hand, his opening partner Rachin Ravindra has shown the right intentions from the word go. If the Kiwi batter fails, CSK doesn't get the best powerplay and that's what happened in the match against SRH. The right-hander will need to step up in the upcoming matches and play a big knock like he did in the previous editions.

3. Time to bring in Shardul Thakur

It is quite unfair that Shardul Thakur, an experienced campaigner, has not got a chance so far this season. The right-arm pacer has taken 89 wickets in the IPL and has showcased his batting prowess on several occasions.

With no Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman in the team, CSK should have gone with Thakur against SRH to add experience to their bowling unit. Chennai's bowling department looks a bit weak and Thakur needs to be brought into the team from the next match to get back on the winning track.