Problems aplenty for misfiring CSK

Just four games into the season, all seven overseas players from the Chennai Super Kings camp have played at least one game. Overall, 17 players have already been used at this stage, which is the most by any team this season. Now, this isn't a pattern one usually associates with the five-time champions. Continuity and sticking to a smaller group of first-choice players has been their hallmark. However, their struggles this season, compounded by the loss to Delhi Capitals on Saturday (April 5), have already forced them to keep ringing in the changes.

Deepak Hooda was left out after games against Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rahul Tripathi received one extra outing. In all fairness, both these batters have looked listless so far and a quick recall to the XI looks quite unlikely for the duo. That has however also forced them keep tinkering with the overseas combinations.

Matheesha Pathirana and Noor Ahmad are nailed on starters, and Rachin Ravindra's early impression has also helped his cause. However, it is with the fourth choice, CSK are grappling hard. Sam Curran came into the tournament on the back of some good form in the ILT20 but hasn't been able to replicate it. Jamie Overton was expensive in his lone outing and with their batters struggling, CSK opted to bring back Devon Conway into the XI.

With CSK chasing for the fourth successive game and the team falling short thrice in a row, the focus has undeniably been on the batting lineup which is understandable to an extent. However, their performances with the ball needs to be looked at as well. Despite their displeasure with the surfaces at Chepauk, CSK have largely played on slowish surfaces in all three home games so far. Despite that, they allowed RCB to post almost 200 and on Saturday, Delhi Capitals made 183.

Despite possessing Pathirana and Noor in their lineup, CSK have allowed their opponents to get away with big scores, forcing a rethink with their bowling plans. Against DC, Ruturaj Gaikwad allowed Mukesh Choudhary to bowl his fourth over despite the pacer being very expensive on the day. Quite astoundingly, their spin trio combined to deliver only eight overs in a day game at home. Their latest combination has now forced their batting lineup to look similar to one teams had in the pre Impact Sub era. At a time where teams pack their lineup with that extra batter at 8, CSK will have to contend with Ashwin in that slot.

This strategy of having Conway, Ravindra and Gaikwad would essentially mean that CSK need one of those three to bat around 15 overs every game to put up a good batting performance. Against DC, all three were back in the pavilion before the end of the powerplay. This has to change quickly as pointed out by Stephen Fleming after the game. "We need to have one or two players in form, predominantly the top three or four, and you look at the teams that are going well, you'll see that a majority of the runs are getting scored through there, through the top four," the coach said. "We need a bit more production there, and that then allows the more power hitters or the players to finish up to come in at the right spots. We're having to introduce players at just not quite the right time, and we've got Dube as well who is close, but just not quite getting the job done."

In a season where there were wide expectations of CSK dominating at least at home given the makeup of the attack, they have already let RCB and DC end their hoodoo at Chepauk. With just four more games left at their den, it's imperative that CSK end up on the right side of the result if they are to stay in contention for a playoff spot at the business end of the tournament. At the moment, they'd be hoping that their latest combination finds form as their coach has expressed.