4 games and 4 consecutive losses. This is the state where both CSK and MI find themselves in during the early stages of IPL 2022. This was not only surprising but this was the most unexpected. The current and former IPL champions struggling to even open their account is completely unexpected. What is happening with CSK and MI? It looks like both the franchises completely goofed up during the auction itself. What they were thinking, is open for any interpretation.
Let me start with CSK
To begin with, how CSK let go off Faf du Plessis and Hazlewood, 2 star performers from last year is beyond belief. After a very long time or probably for the first time, CSK finally had a new ball bowler who was not only good enough to contain but good enough to pick up early wickets. It is an open secret that CSK’s bowling has been their achilles heel ever since IPL started way back in 2008. Every auction they will invariably falter when it comes to the bowlers. Perhaps, the CSK management thought that T20 is a game for batsmen and as such they invested in powerful hitters but not on bowlers.
The mistake was rectified finally when Hazlewood was picked to partner Deepak Chahar who has proved to be an IPL champion bowler. It showed in CSK winning the tournament itself. All the good work was undone in the auction a couple of months ago. Hazlewood was let go off. With Deepak Chahar unavailable because of injury, the bowling is extremely weak. Mahesh Theekshana, Dwayne Bravo, Mukesh Choudhary, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, when the opposition sees this kind of a bowling attack, they will be exceptionally pleased. Every batsman will queue up at the top order to face these bowlers.
Why was Faf not retained?
With Fat not at the top of the order, it has seriously weakened CSK’s batting. He was the 2nd highest scorer in IPL 2021. One would have thought that Faf will be among the retained players by the franchise but to everyone’s horror, he wasn’t. Atleast CSK will take all the efforts to resign him for the franchise but even that wasn’t done. What on earth was the thinking behind such illogical decision? Will CSK pay dearly for such oversight? So far, they have. Before the auction, it seemed that the franchise had already decided to open with Uthappa and Ruturaj and hence the hesitation to bid on Faf.
Another problem is the age of the CSK players. Most of them are above 35 and well past their prime. Added to that, Shivam Dube, who is not known for any flamboyant batting, is the primary all-rounder in the squad. I do not have anything against Dube but it is clear that he is not of international standard.
No wonder, the performance of the franchise has been awful so far. Will CSK be able to proceed beyond the first round? It is tough if not impossible but it is unlikely.
Stephen Fleming, the CSK coach for more than 10 years, admitted that CSK’s self-belief has taken a severe beating. “I think it’s clear. Batting, bowling and fielding is what we need to work on. And moving forward we improve batting, bowling and fielding.”
How is Stephen Fleming retained as the coach despite being in the job for more than 10 years does not really make sense? Just like captains, coaches too have their sell by date. 10 years is way too long a time for any coach to have past that.
Now, I will discuss about Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians is another IPL franchise that instilled fear in every opposition. It will not be an understatement to say that the opposition lost the game even before they step onto the field. Such was the awe that they inspired. It was because of the firepower at the disposal of Mumbai Indians. Rohit and de Kock at the top with the Pandya brothers and Pollard at the tail end, they were absolutely invincible.
Everything was changed at the auction table. De Kock, the Pandya brothers were let go off. As a result, MI lost all the firepower. It shows in how they are now struggling to post tall scores. They were severely imbalanced because of the wrong choice of players. It left a great void in the middle and lower order though Ishan Kishan is an adequate replacement for de Kock. I do understand that the franchises are allowed to retain only a maximum of 4 players.
Did MI make a mistake in not bidding for Hardik?
I also understand the reasons for retaining Rohit, SKY & Bumrah and to a certain extent, Pollard but they must have gone all-out to bid for Hardik Pandya. He may not be the same force that he was but just the name sends shivers down the spine of the opposition. More than what he will do, the perception of what he can do will force the opponents into mistakes.
Without either of the Pandya’s and de Kock at the top, the firepower is drastically diminished. Added to that is the inability of the bowlers to contain runs and pick up regular wickets. Bumrah is still there but after more than 7 years, players seem to have found a way to counter him.
Conclusion to what is happening with CSK & MI?
It still is possible for both CSK and MI to qualify for the playoffs and perhaps lift the trophy. However, that is easier said than done. For that to happen, a lot of things will have to go right for these teams and a lot of things will have to go wrong for other teams. It is highly unlikely to happen. Cricket just like all other games is unpredictable. In 1983, India were on the brink of elimination, one freak innings from Kapil Dev changed the course of the tournament as well as the destiny of the Indian team. Will someone be able to inspire a turnaround for both MI & CSK?
CSK posted their first win before I published this blog. Will they be able to sustain?