IPL 2020: 3 mistakes committed by CSK against DC

Two consecutive defeats for Chennai Super Kings, one of the most celebrated teams on IPL. The story of the game was quite similar to the previous one as the opposition put up a decent total. It was followed by a dismal show from the top order and the middle order was not able to chase down the unachievable task in the end.

On the other hand, the Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals quite confidentially and the way he used his bowlers was extremely commendable. Chennai has lost two of their three games in the competition, though the tournament is quite long the shortest format doesn’t allow you to shift the momentum quite easily. There are several questions for which CSK management needs to find answers before the next match.

Here are the three mistakes committed by CSK against DC that led them to another defeat:

1. Lack of intent from the top order

Even when Suresh Raina is not available for this season, CSK’s top order is quite experienced with the likes of Shane Watson, Murali Vijay and Faf du Plessis. However, when the team needed to chase down a total of 176, they were expected to use their skills and provide stability to the batting to keep the momentum going. However, they lacked the intent to chase down a decent total and the run rate never increased. They didn’t try to play big shots and the CSK never looked like they can chase down the target.

2. MS Dhoni not coming at no. 4

MS Dhoni is the leader and arguably the most important player of CSK. He is known as one of best chasers the game has ever seen and his records are extraordinary. Even after facing a loss in the last match because the stumper came lower down the order, the Ranchi stalwart didn’t learn from his mistake.

When Dhoni walked in, it was all but over for CSK. If he would have learnt from his mistake and batted at no. 4, he could have spent some time before going for the kill in the last over in his trademark style. But the leader of the CSK contingent is not backing himself and it is a major concern for the yellow army.

3. Several tactical errors in Dhoni’s captaincy

MS Dhoni is regarded as one of the best captains of the game but his moves are under severe scrutiny in this season. Sending an under-confident Ruturaj Gaikwad at no. 4 was one of them as he looked under pressure and wasted a lot of balls in an important chase.

Not using his strike bowlers in the middle overs was also a mistake from MS Dhoni. If CSK could have got a wicket or two in the middle overs, DC could have finished with a much lower total which could have been easier to chase. Furthermore, DC had Amit Mishra and Axar Patel as their specialist spinners, if CSK would have sent Ravindra Jadeja or Sam Curran up the order, it could have turned into a game-changing move as left-handers find it easier when the ball comes into them.