Chennai Super Kings have a had mixed season this IPL. Winning 5 out of their 9 games, the South Indian team and title holders have not had the most consistent run compared to previous seasons. But it is not the worst either. As things stand in the points of the table, the competition for the 3rd and 4th spots is going to be red hot. Time will tell whether Chennai Super Kings will be able to do so. However, one that CSK have going for them, one that has served them well in the past, is their ability to adapt.
What is Chennai Super Kings’ Formula?
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Chennai Super Kings are not the joint top holders of the IPL trophy for no reason. Whilst they may not feature the glamour of the Mumbai Indians, or the new kids on the block aura of the Gujarat Titans, CSK has adopted a process that works and they stick to it. However, it is a process that is malleable and is open to change. One such change in this edition of IPL has been the frequency with which 200-plus scores are made, and in turn, chased down by teams.
In this year’s home game against Lucknow Super Giants, which Chennai Super Kings lost, they did manage to score 210. But the score was surpassed thanks to a great innings by Marcus Stoinis. In cricket, these things happen. A team can bat well, bowl reasonably, and hold on to its catches, but still end up on the losing side. However, what great teams do is not let a bad result keep them down, or knock them off the game plan.
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Chennai Super King Strategy: Sticking to the Plan
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This was most evident in the next game Sunrisers Hyderabad. A tough team with an explosive top order. And when put into bat, Chennai Super Kings could have panicked. Thinking that against a team that had scored 250 plus thrice already this season, it too needed a mammoth score. But to do so would have placed undue pressure and disrupted the rhythm of the team. But this isn’t just any team. It is the five-time champions who know how to pull themselves up from failure. This is what they did in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, beating them soundly by 78 runs.
Victory came down to a solid performance by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made a solid 98, just missing out on a back-to-back hundred. At this point, the Chennai Super Kings leadership recognizes that 200-plus scores are the norm at IPL and they by no means guarantee a victory. So the rest of the team led by a strong bowling unit needs to hold its own. And CSK looks ready to do just that.
The 13th Playoff for Chennai Super Kings?
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Whilst it is too early to speculate, as competition for the playoff spots heats up, it is difficult to discount CSK’s chances of remaining and solidifying their position in the top four. The team’s strength lies in its ability to adapt to change and be consistent at doing what is necessary to produce the result. Time will tell if they make it all the way to the end in 2024.
About the Author
Damian Thar writes on a range of topics. In addition to his professional work, he writes essays on subjects like philosophy, history, and culture. He also writes and edits books; in his free time, he makes videos for social commentary. You can find his work here.
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