Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continued their poor show in the ongoing IPL as they suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Mumbai Indians (MI) in Sharjah on Friday (October 23).
Asked to bat first, CSK could only manage 114/9 in 20 overs as Trent Boult (4-18), Rahul Chahar (2-22) and Jasprit Bumrah (2-25) ran through their batting line-up.
Sam Curran was the lone warrior with the willow for the Super Kings, scoring 52 off 47 deliveries, including 4 fours and 2 sixes.
In reply, the defending champions rode on Ishan Kishan’s 37-ball 68* and Quinton de Kock’s 37-ball 46* to overhaul the target in just 12.2 overs.
After the disappointing loss, CSK skipper MS Dhoni said the side needs to analyse their journey in the tournament right from the second game to find out what went wrong for them.
"It does hurt. What you need to see is what are the things that are going wrong. Especially this year, it hasn't been our year. Whether you lose by 8 or 10 wickets, it hardly matters, but where we are at this stage of the tournament, it does hurt. What you need to see is where we actually went wrong, right from the second game. It was more about bowling. Rayudu got injured, the other batsman were maybe not there 200 per cent and in cricket when you're going through a tough phase, you need a bit of luck," quoted Dhoni at the post-match presentation ceremony.
He further said that nothing has gone on their side in the tournament so far and conceded that the team failed to play to its potential.
"The games we wanted to bat first, we haven't won the toss, and there's no dew and all of a sudden when we bat first there's dew. Whenever you're not doing well, there can be a 100 reasons, but one of the main things you ask yourself is whether you've played to the potential you've got no matter the conditions," he remarked.
Having lost 8 of their 11 games, CSK are now out of the play-offs race. It is the first time that the Chennai-based franchise has failed to qualify for the play-offs in the history of IPL.
According to Dhoni, CSK will now plan for the next IPL season and they will give opportunities to youngsters in the remaining three games of this season.
"It's part and parcel, you can't always think the result will go your way. You try to do the toughest thing, even when you're getting hurt, you try to smile and take it on the chin. I feel the boys have done that, they've tried to perform. I think it's important for us to have a clear picture of next year. There are lots of ifs and buts - auction, where the venues will be. The coming three games will be an ideal opportunity to give platforms. See some of the youngsters in preparation for the next year, see who will bat and who bowls at the death and soaks the pressure. A few more who are on the bench will get games in the coming three games," he concluded.
Chennai Super Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in their next game at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (October 25).
