IPL 2018: 3 Tactical Changes which CSK need to make to get back to winning ways

Chennai Super Kings are the most successful side in IPL in terms of reaching the finals, reaching the playoffs 8 times and playing in 6 finals in their 8 years in the IPL. The Chennai side is also arguably the most popular team in the league.

CSK made a return to the Indian Premier League after a gap of two years and they got off to a terrific start as they pulled out a victory from the jaws of a defeat against Mumbai.

They continued their brilliant run till they faced the Mumbai team again in Pune where they were comprehensively defeated. The Chennai side lost for a third time this season against Kolkata and some cracks in the Chennai Super Kings armour have started to appear.

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#1 Replace Jadeja with a foreign pace bowler

Willey will be a good All-rounder option for CSK

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the three players who was retained by the Chennai Super Kings this year ahead of the auctions. He was retained ahead of the likes of Ashwin, McCullum and Bravo, and the team management may already be regretting that decision.

Jadeja has had an IPL to forget as he has failed with both bat and ball, and in the recent match against Kolkata, he failed in the field as well. It is time Dhoni and CSK start to look at alternatives for Jadeja.

The former champs have lacked death bowling options as Bravo is a shadow of his past and Lungi Ngidi hasn't proved to be successful in the death overs. While Dhoni has a plethora of spin options in the side, he lacks quality pacers in the side and playing Willey will be a good option.

Willey has the ability to bowl well in the death overs and is also a capable batsman in the end overs. He will perform Jadeja's role in a much better manner and will solve multiple problems for the side.

#2 Bring Murali Vijay into the playing XI

Vijay's talent has been wasted in the CSK benches

Murali Vijay is one of the best batsmen in India in the longest format of the game, but what is often ignored is his exploits in the shortest format of the game. He has been a brilliant player in the T20 format as well.

Vijay is one of three Indian players to have scored two or more centuries in IPL history. He also has a 95-run innings to his name and can be considered as one of the IPL greats. He is an experienced Indian face and will be a great addition to the playing XI.

Vijay has the ability to single-handedly win the game for his side, and with Du Plessis struggling at the top, he should be given the chance to open. His track record in the yellow jersey has been brilliant and one can count on him to deliver this time as well.

Chennai will have to bolster its bowling by bringing in a foreign bowler and can accommodate a foreign bowler in Du Plessis's place.

#3 Use Spinners in the Powerplay overs

Harbhajan can be a useful bowler in Powerplay overs

Dhoni is the captain who first started using spinners in powerplay overs in T20s. Now almost all the teams in IPL start the innings with spinners but Dhoni has largely refrained from using this tactic this year.

The CSK captain had the luxury of Ashwin all these years and used the Indian offie brilliantly in the powerplay. This year he has refrained from using the spinners in the powerplay overs as he doesn't seem to have confidence in Karn Sharma and Jadeja.

Harbhajan Singh was tried in the powerplay overs in the initial few games with mixed results. Dhoni should try using Harbhajan in the powerplay overs as he has enough experience of bowling in the initial overs and he has been successful over the years as well.

Picking early wickets is the key to restricting the opposition to small targets and spinners are the best wicket-taking options. Harbhajan has picked wickets in the powerplay overs this year as well and he should be used by Dhoni well to get the most out of him.