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

Chennai Super Kings were given a rude awakening as the Lucknow Super Giants rode home to an easy win on Friday. The margin of victory was eight wickets and there was still an over to play as the home team pocketed two crucial points. 

The bowling unit of Chennai Super Kings crumbled against the onslaught by LSG openers. KL Rahul in particular was in a punishing mood as he smashed 82 runs to help his side climb to fifth in the table.

It was a day to forget for some of the Chennai Super Kings batters and bowlers as nothing went right for them.  Barring the form of Ravindra Jadeja and some late-order hitting from MS Dhoni the team looked flat and uninspired against a red-hot LSG side.

Here are the three changes that Chennai Super Kings should consider ahead of their next match.

3. Time to drop Rachin Ravindra for Maheesh Theekshana or Mitchell Santner

After scoring 83 runs in his first two games of the IPL 2024 season, Rachin Ravindra has struggled for runs. The 24-year-old has managed to score only 50 runs from his next 5 matches and was out for a first-ball duck on Friday.

The time is right for CSK to draft in Maheesh Theekshana as they seem to be short on a spinning option. Ruturaj Gaikwad can go back to the top of the order to replace Rachin Ravindra. The other option is the left-arm spin of Mitchell Santner who seems to be perpetually warming the benches for his side.

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2. Deepak Chahar and his dwindling form a massive concern

Shardul Thakur who had played the last few games was dropped to make way for Deepak Chahar. It was a below-par return for the 31-year-old who went wicketless from his 3 overs with the ball.

Deepak Chahar has played five games this season and managed to pick only 4 wickets. This is a far cry from the talent he has with the ball as his wicket-taking form is on a downward spiral this season.

1. Better fielding needed 

Over the years, Chennai Super Kings have been blessed with some amazing fielders. Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dwayne Bravo are a few of the names that come to mind. When MS Dhoni was the skipper he wanted his side to be the best fielding team on the park. 

On Friday the men in yellow seemed a shell of their former self as there were way too many fielding lapses. Matheesha Pathirana dropped an easy catch while Mustafizur Rahman didn’t even try to stop a boundary as he was seen escorting the ball to the ropes. If Chennai Super Kings have to get back to their best they have to make sure that they field well.