After winning two back-to-back games, CSK were given a harsh reality check as they went down to the home team SRH by 10 runs. Both teams went on the journey in the power play overs and lost a few wickets, but things slowed down for both in the middle and end phases. CSK played good cricket and had their moments, but it seemed they literally wilted under pressure. This was CSK‘s game, but loss of wickets meant they lost the plot as SRH showed more heart and courage to win the contest. We will try to analyse why CSK went down to the Orange Army.
Ayush Mhatre’s dismissal owing to injury causes CSK to lose the momentum
The CSK bowlers did well to keep SRH down to 194, as at one stage, when Abhishek Sharma was going great guns in the power play, a 220 looked a possibility. But CSK made sure they were chasing below 200, and 195 was gettable on the track provided one gets a good start. CSK got that as well. Sanju Samson hit a maximum but got dismissed early for 7. Ayush Mhatre came in and was on the move straightaway.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad played the role of the second fiddle as usual, but they were building up a solid base for the Super Kings. Mhatre was on fire as he belted the bowling while Gaikwad was giving him the strike and doing his bit. But unfortunately, as has been the case with CSK, tragedy struck them as Mhatre pulled up his hamstring. He was really hobbling out there in the middle. The physio came out twice to check him, and Gaikwad told him to continue. He should have been sent back there and then by the captain.
Mhatre had to play big shots and got out, and in the next over, Gaikwad got out again for a low score, once again failing in a 180+ run chase. CSK made 76 in the power play but lost 3 wickets while SRH were 75/2 in 6 overs. But those two losses caused a loss of momentum. There were brief partnerships, but CSK kept on losing wickets at regular intervals to lose the contest in the end. CSK needs to bat a lot better in the middle overs and needs someone to take responsibility to guide the innings through. They lack depth in their batting, and that cost them the game.
Lack of a finisher for CSK haunted them in this game
CSK started well despite losing Sanju Samson early. The partnership of Mhatre and Gaikwad really laid the base for CSK, with Mhatre doing the bulk of the scoring. But what has been noticeable for CSK has been the lack of runs and finishing ability in the end overs. This really hurt them in this match. The likes of Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, bought for 28 crores in total, are not finding a place in the side.
Yesterday, Shivam Dube came into bat at 7. Yes, he has played some crucial knocks for India in the past. But he is not your distinguished finisher. Jamie Overton had a good outing with the ball, but lacked the game awareness and finishing ability under pressure. There were lots of starts from Matthew Short and Sarfaraz Khan, but none could convert them into a big score. Taking the game deep is an art, and CSK fumbled on it.
CSK hoped that Dube and Overton would be the finishers, but they are far from it. It goes without saying that, without liking it or not, CSK are missing their Thala MS Dhoni. Dhoni can give experience to the team and help them improve in certain aspects. But unfortunately, MS is not yet fit despite having started to bat in the nets. Truth be told, CSK hasn’t found a proper finisher after MS Dhoni, and this is something they will grapple with for a long time, one feels.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s continuous failure and Dewald Brevis having an off-day compound CSK’s problems
The one thing that has been bothering CSK from the start of the season is the form of their captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad has been in wretched form and continues to open the batting for CSK, and fails to give a proper start. He relies on others to score while he would be at the other end taking singles. As a tactician, he had a decent night in Hyderabad, as he inspired his bowlers to restrict SRH under 200. But as a batter, he has failed time and time and over and over again.
Yes, Sanju Samson also missed out, but he has contributed in the past. Gaikwad has little contribution to the team’s success. He had a good partnership with Mhatre and was playing the perfect role. But as soon as Mhatre got injured and got out, he too followed suit. He should have taken more responsibility and guided the innings forward. But he also fell in the power play.
Dewald Brevis came out to bat with the situation tailor-made to finish the job, but he flattered to deceive and played a rash shot to get out. Taking the game deep is important, and Brevis should have done that. But he threw his wicket away, which was saddening to see. The finishing is missing from CSK batters, and yesterday, the Men in Yellow bottled the chance to win the game. It’s back to the drawing board for them and hope that MS Dhoni comes back as soon as possible. That is their only hope in a disastrous campaign for them.
What Lies Ahead
So, SRH with this win has climbed to 4th in the points table, while CSK are placed in 7th place as we speak. CSK faces arch-rivals MI in Mumbai on Thursday night. Two games come our way on Super Sunday. First up, it’s KKR taking on RR in Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and that will be followed by PBKS up against LSG live from New Chandigarh in Mullanpur. So, two cracking games to entertain Super Sunday.
Also Read: SRH vs CSK: Eshan Malinga’s 3-Wicket Haul Helps SRH Win A Thriller