IPL 2019: 5 Problems that might haunt Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming matches

When Chennai Super Kings (CSK) started running in a marathon race called IPL 2019, they took the lead from the word go and consolidated it to emerge ahead of 7 runners. CSK, as well as the other runners, clearly know that this was just the beginning and still there was still a long way to go. They know that the real competition starts when everyone puts their best foot forward to accelerate in the final phase that includes playoffs. With 7 wins in 10 games, the tournament so far has been a cakewalk for the Men in Yellow. However, there are still some unexposed chinks in their armour, which might dent their chances. Although the lead actors have shielded them, the day it comes out might turn out to be a graveyard for CSK’s dream of fourth IPL title. Let us take a look at them: 1. Death Bowling Dwayne Bravo. (Photo Source: Twitter) “The death bowling went wrong. The death bowlers had to rely on yorkers, it was tough for them. They’ll definitely improve.” said MS Dhoni after the loss against MI. It seems as if it has been an unending headache even for the coolest of the captains. Like other teams, CSK too has not found the solution to its death bowling woes. Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar have failed to create any impact. Even their death overs specialist Dwayne Bravo has conceded more than 9 runs in every over. The problem first haunted them against RR, when they conceded more than 40 runs in the overs 17-19 before Dwayne Bravo pulled them out of the mouth of defeat. The same thing happened against MI when Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard scored 45 runs in the last 2 overs, which eventually turned out to be a match-winning moment for them. 2. Deepak Chahar not being able to take wickets on non-supportive decks Deepak Chahar. (Photo Source: Twitter) When you look at the list of top wicket-takers in IPL 2019, you will be pleased seeing the rise of Deepak Chahar, who has 10 scalps in 8 matches. But the harsh truth is that these wickets have come on the supportive pitches only. He has failed to create much impact on the decks where the ball has not moved, for instance in Eden Gardens, where he was smashed for 36 runs on a flat wicket. His overall performance has been good though. He has given runs at an economy of just 7.37. In the absence of Dwayne Bravo, he has shown his other dimension of bowling in death overs as well. He can certainly be an X-factor and MSD’s go-to man if he manages to strike more consistently. 3. Backup players haven’t been given enough match time Chennai Super Kings’s Karn Sharma. (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/IANS) It is totally correct that CSK enjoys the presence of multiple match winners. However, this leads to a lack of opportunities and match time for even such good players. For instance, Faf Du Plessis, who single-handedly won CSK the semi-final of IPL 2018, had to wait for 4 matches to get his first game of this season. Although he has become a regular since his inclusion, there are many players who are still waiting for their chances. Sam Billings, who guided CSK to a cruising victory against KKR, and played a key role in any other matches, has played only one match in which he couldn’t stand out with his performance. The case is the same for many other big names, such as Murali Vijay, David Willey, Karn Sharma, and Dhruv Shorey. However, if CSK wins their next 2 matches, they qualify for the playoffs, and can then ring in these players. 4. Below average performance of star players MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: Twitter) It won’t be wrong to claim that the performance of a few players has overshadowed the horrible performance of most of the other players. Suresh Raina has been most disappointing, with only 1 half century so far. He has a total of 194 runs. Another such player has been Ambati Rayadu, who has been able to manage a mere 138 runs so far. Shane Watson and Kedar Jadhav too have been disappointing. In the bowling department, Shardul Thakur, who had a dream run in IPL 2018, has had a nightmarish run so far. The 28-year-old has just 6 wickets in 6 matches, and he has conceded runs at an economy of almost 9 runs per over. It is very clear that the star players can’t perform in every match. Therefore, these players need to step up. 5. Failure to score fast during the middle overs Chennai Super Kings’ Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu. (Photo: IANS) CSK’s openers and the middle order has not been able to increase the run rate during the middle overs. As a result, the responsibility of posting big totals increases during the death overs. This tactic has been particularly been used and anchored by MS Dhoni. For example, he slowed down the pace of innings against RR, and exploded in the last 2 overs, scoring 40 odd to take CSK’s total to 175. Although this has mostly favoured them, this is certainly a problem. For example, when MSD got out against MI just before that acceleration time, the whole team collapsed. Certainly, this tactic has to proceed with MS at the center, and if he falls, this might prove to be fatal. Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the World Cup 2019, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com. ~Written by Ayuj Aryan

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IPL 2019: 5 Problems that might haunt Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming matches

With 7 wins in 10 games, the tournament so far has been a cakewalk for the Men in Yellow.

4. Below average performance of star players

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