IPL 2018: 5 reasons why CSK lost to KXIP

Chennai Super Kings were on a roll in IPL 2018, having won both their games after looking down and out at one stage. They were only one of two teams to take maximum points from their first two games along with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Considering their good record against Kings XI Punjab overall, it was expected that Chennai would win this encounter as well.

But the match was anything but straightforward. KL Rahul and Gayle, on his debut for KXIP, went bonkers and carted the CSK bowlers all around the park to amass 75 runs in the powerplay. Though CSK pulled things back to an extent, KXIP still reached 197, which was a par score considering the large outfield of Mohali.

CSK though still believed in their batsmen to pull off the run-chase and they did not disappoint. Rayudu and Dhoni played stellar knocks to take the chase to the last over but they eventually fell short of the target by just 4 runs.

Here are 5 reasons why CSK dropped their first points of the season:

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#1 Poor Powerplay

Bhajji had a poor game as he gave away 41 runs during his 4 overs

Chennai’s bowling has never been one of their strong suits. They have had capable bowlers all throughout their stint in the IPL with Ashwin and Mohit Sharma being prime examples. But bowling has never won them matches.

This game again underlined this very weakness for the Super Kings. Though it is time for batsmen to make merry in the first 6 overs, conceding 75 runs in the powerplay is criminal, to say the least, and no amount of excuses can make up for that poor performance.

Gayle and KL Rahul took the bowlers to the cleaners and CSK will need to focus on it to win their future games.

#2 Losing Watson early

Watto could not give the start CSK needed

Watson was phenomenal for Chennai in their two opening games of the IPL season. He had provided blistering starts along with Rayudu at the top to set the foundation for the power hitters later on.

But this time around, he could not replicate his heroics. Though he hit two boundaries off Mohit Sharma, his innings was short-lived as he only managed 11 off 9 balls. He may be in his late 30s but Watto has always proved to be a formidable T20 player, especially in the IPL, first with Rajasthan Royals and then with RCB.

CSK’s loss underlines his vast importance to this team and the value of the starts he provides.

#3 Rayudu’s run-out

Rayudu was consistent in his 49-run innings

Ambati Rayudu has arguably been CSK’s batsman of the season so far. He is capable of adapting to any role he is given and this was proved when he gave Chennai amazing starts in the first two games opening with Watson.

Filling Raina’s shoes at no.3 was never going to be an easy task but Rayudu did that job too with aplomb, putting away the poor balls and continuously rotating the strike with MSD. But his run-out was the turning point for CSK. Until then, they were motoring along nicely, but Dhoni’s back injury meant that he could not run those quick singles and doubles anymore.

KXIP captain, Ashwin lead the way with a brilliant pick-up and throw to dismiss Rayudu and potentially win the match.

#4 Sending Jadeja ahead of Bravo

Jadeja has failed to show his batting prowess for quite some time

Dwayne Bravo has been the star performer for CSK for many years now. Bought as a batsman, he eventually evolved into their death-bowling specialist with his slower ones almost impossible to read and put away and in many ways, he has shown the way for death bowlers around the world how to operate.

But the first two games this season also showcased the ability we forgot he possessed- power hitting. He single-handedly clinched victory for Chennai against MI and put away Vinay Kumar in the last over against KKR.

He was the man in-form and sending Jadeja ahead of him was a poor decision by the CSK think-tank, considering his poor batting records over the past few years.

#5 Dhoni leaves it late

It was a case of too little too late from the CSK skipper

Over the years, MS Dhoni has mastered the art of giving himself time in the middle, judging the pitch, playing mind-games with the bowler and eventually muscling the ball to all parts of the ground to clinch games for India and Chennai numerous times in the past.

But we must remember that this is not the Dhoni of old. He is 35 years of age and has lost some of his reflexes. Make no mistake, he was the reason why CSK lost the game by only 4 runs but it begs the question- what if he had got going sooner?

By the time he decided to take the game to the opposition, Chennai needed 55 off 18 balls. Two 19-run overs brought that equation down to 17 off the last over and Mohit bowled brilliantly to restrict CSK. Three major overs on the trot is a rare thing in T20 cricket unless it is the powerplay and Dhoni should have known better.

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