Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may have been the first team to qualify for the playoffs this season, but they haven't been in a good form in the last few league stage matches. CSK captain MS Dhoni knows they will have to buck up in the playoffs as the current form isn't going to help.
On Thursday (October 7), Chennai lost their third consecutive match as Punjab Kings (PBKS) chase down 135 runs in 13 overs with 6 wickets in hand. Before this match, Super Kings had lost to Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals.
Dhoni said they have played good cricket to make it to the playoffs but the team needs to tune up slightly after the last few outcomes. "You have to cope (when it comes to mental or skill aspect) up with that. We had played very good cricket to reach the playoff stages.
"We had a few bad games two out of three and one we felt like we could have a comeback and that's part and parcel in leagues like these, you have to be at your best," he said.
The CSK skipper knows the team is in a good mindset and highly motivated as they have almost confirmed finish in the top two with 9 wins in 14 matches. "Motivation is not a factor, the guys are highly motivated and maybe we need to tune up slightly as to what needs to be done and also a few tosses if they had gone our way.
"It would have looked worse winning toss and batting on that wicket and I felt the wicket changed a bit, it was a bit challenging but it was a good wicket," he added.
As per ESPNcricinfo, for RCB to replace CSK at the second spot, they will have to score around 200 runs and win by a margin of 163 runs. In addition, RCB can't go past CSK by chasing the target i.e. by bowling first.
(With ANI Inputs)
