MS Dhoni, the captain of the Chennai Super Kings franchise, has admitted that the team did not perform to expectations and he also said that the spark was missing in some youngsters following their seven-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals. The loss was Chennai Super Kings' seventh in 10 games and it has all but put them out of the race for the play-offs for the first time in the history of the Indian Premier League.
MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings are in danger of not qualifying for the play-offs for the first time in the history of the Indian Premier League. Before IPL 2020, Chennai Super Kings were the only side to have qualified for the play-offs in every single edition that they have featured in. However, in the IPL 2020, MS Dhoni's team have endured a torrid time. After starting off with a win against Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings lost their next three games. Despite staging a comeback against Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings lost both games to Delhi Capitals. Following their seven-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings are at the bottom of the table with just six points and their net run-rate has also taken a big hit. Following the loss, MS Dhoni admitted in the post-match presentation that the team weren't really there in this season.
"We've tried a few things. That's one thing you don't want to do. You don't want to chop and change a lot. Because what happens is after three-four-five games you're not sure of anything. You want to give guys a fair go then if they're not performing then you switch and go to someone else and give them a run. Insecurity is something you don't want to prevail in the dressing room. Fair enough, this season we weren't really there. Also, there were few chances for youngsters. Maybe we didn't see the kind of spark that they could've given us to say okay you know push the experienced guys and make space for them. But what this result has done is give those youngsters whatever is left in our league stages," Dhoni said.
Chaotic build-up
Chennai Super Kings were not helped by the chaotic build-up to the start of the IPL. 13 members, including two players in Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad, tested positive for the coronavirus and they were the last team to begin practice. They were also not helped by the withdrawal of Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh due to personal reasons. The crucial injury to Ambari Rayudu immediately after the game against Mumbai Indians hurt their middle order in a big way. MS Dhoni said they may have to revisit the process by which positive results can come.
"It's not always supposed to go your way. That's why what we try is going back to the process and see if the process is wrong or maybe we weren't able to execute. The result is always a byproduct of the process. What it does is it helps you think in a positive way. We play in front of millions of people so there is nothing to hide. The fact remains that if you're busy with the process then the undue pressure of results doesn't get into the dressing room," Dhoni said.
MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings next take on Mumbai Indians in Sharjah and a loss will automatically dump them out of the play-off race even mathematically.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "MS Dhoni CSK vs RR")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}