The winner of 4 IPL trophies and the finalists in 5 others in 13 editions, CSK was banned for 2 editions, CSK is the most consistent team in the competition. Not even Mumbai Indians can match their consistency. The longevity of the players, the coach and the trust the management had on the players all played a part. However, this year, proved to be completely different for CSK. I would like to review Chennai Super Kings.
Their downfall started right at the beginning of the season. We now know that Jadeja was informed last year that he will assume captaincy during this season. The point is that was he told that he will be taking over at the beginning itself or during the later stages? It seems that there was a clear communication gap. Dhoni handed over the captaincy just a day before the first game. Jadeja was all at sea without adequate preparation time. It showed in his performance which faltered. Now, it has resulted in a rift between the CSK management and Jadeja. Ofcourse, he will play for them the next year and the year after too but a fissure has erupted. It goes to the credit of Jadeja that he had the magnanimity to relinquish the captaincy having realised that he will be better off without the pressures of it.
This was their first mistake and the franchise itself was unable to come out of it.
The openers
Without Faf to guide him at the other end, Ruturaj was just a shadow of himself. He struggled to get going right from the first game. Perhaps, the opposition learned how to bowl to him but just 3 fifties from the player of the season last year is a bit too less to make any opponent shudder. Faf’s replacement, Devon Conway, struggled as well making the job of the middle order much tougher. Much was expected of him but he failed to deceive.
The middle order
The middle order was another huge problem. With the openers failing regularly, the middle order was in pressure to not only stabilise the innings but to provide an impetus to the innings. However, Robin Uthappa, another impressive batsman from last year, was found wanting. With Moeen Ali not joining during the first few games, Uthappa wasn’t able to raise to the challenge. Ambati Rayudu, who alongwith Suresh Raina formed the backbone for CSK for a number of years, suddenly wasn’t able to make significant contributions. It wasn’t a surprise when he announced his retirement towards the end of the tournament. Why was he made to retract that statement is beyond belief. He clearly thinks that he does not have in him, the ability to contribute any further and wanted to retire.
The only reason for CSK asking him to retract is because they will have to wait for a couple of years to pick his replacement in the next auction.
Shivam Dube played one magnificent innings but was otherwise largely unsuccessful. It was clear as a crystal even when he was part of RCB that he does not have the game to succeed at the high level. Why did CSK pick him up in the auction, only their management can explain.
The Jadeja problem
With captaincy weighing him down, Jadeja clearly felt the going to be tough. He wasn’t at his usual flamboyant best, either with the bat or with the ball. The Jadeja who ripped apart Harshal Patel to the tune of 37 runs in the last over was nowhere to be seen. Injury put paid to his hopes of reviving the team.
The Dhoni conundrum
Dhoni is 40 years old and clearly, his best day is behind him. He is struggling and it is painfully clear. His harrowing time against the spinners of any variety has become legendary. He takes far too many deliveries to get going. His supporters will claim that at the end, he has slightly more than a run a ball as strike rate but it puts an enormous amount of duress on his partners to score quickly. The other batsmen are also grappling with their form and as a result, CSK either ends up posting below par totals are fails to chase a par or above par score. Perhaps, it is time for Dhoni to bid adieu to CSK and become sort of a mentor.
The bowlers
The absence of Deepak Chahar for the entire tournament and the poor auction strategy of not picking an important cog in the wheel last year, Hazlewood, CSK were really short of good fast medium bowlers. They never really had good spinners with Jadeja doing the honours. As a result, rookies were given the responsibility of restricting the opposition. Mukesh Choudhary had a good year but apart from him, the rest did not inspire much confidence.
Finally, Stephen Fleming
It has been more than 10 years since Fleming became the coach. CSK must be lauded for their trust and continuity but this is taking it to the extreme. No coach worth his salt will have anything to contribute after being in that role for so many years. The coach, the captain all have a shelf-life and beyond that, it is time for them to be moved on. This is so prevalent in sports. Perhaps, CSK will be better off if they find a new coach. Ofcourse, they can point to the same fact that CSK qualified for the finals 9 times out of 13 but is Fleming the correct person to carry the team forward?
Conclusion to review Chennai Super Kings
CSK was in a similar situation in 2020 when they were relegated in the league phase. They stormed back to claim the title the very next year but this time, the rot has set in. It probably is time to let go off of some of the seniors and get young blood into the team. Will the management feel the need to renovate or will they choose to remain stagnant, only time can reveal?
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