MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings have endured plenty of heartbreak in IPL 2020. Currently, they are in the eighth and last position in the IPL points table after suffering their seventh loss in 10 games. With their direct play-off qualification hopes dashed, the three-time IPL champions will have to rely on mathematical probabilities in order to make it to the top four.
MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings have a proud record in the history of the Indian Premier League. They are currently the only side who have qualified for the playoffs in every single Indian Premier League edition that they have featured in. However, things have gone horribly wrong for the three-time champions in the 2020 edition of the IPL. A combination of a warm-up impacted by the coronavirus, injuries at the wrong time, dodgy team selection issues as well as the over-reliance on certain players have put MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings on the cusp of not making it to the playoffs for the first time ever. The loss to Rajasthan Royals has meant that every game for Chennai Super Kings is now a must-win and a loss to Mumbai Indians in their next game in Sharjah could spell the end for MS Dhoni's team. Whatever way one looks at it, this has been a sad campaign for MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings fans. Here is a look at some of the photos that have defined Chennai Super Kings' sorry campaign. It all starts from the lack of execution against Rajasthan Royals, to MS Dhoni's fatigue against Sunrisers Hyderabad to been stifled by Delhi Capitals in both games. Here is the saga of MS Dhoni's sad journey in IPL 2020 so far.
1. MS Dhoni IPL 2020
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In the game against Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings were chasing a total in excess of 200. However, the three-time champions struggled to get going on a flat deck. The lack of intent was evident when Faf du Plessis and MS Dhoni struggled to up the scoring rate. Dhoni, in particular, struggled to get the big hits going. The Chennai Super Kings skipper finished the match with three sixes but it was too little too late. The criticism that followed was the starting point in Chennai Super Kings' downhill journey. (Image credit: Twitter)
2. MS Dhoni Chennai Super Kings IPL 2002
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Perhaps the saddest image of the IPL 2020 which defined Chennai Super Kings's campaign. In the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, MS Dhoni and the lower order were once again being stifled by some accurate death bowling. Dhoni was running for his life as Chennai Super Kings looked to get to the target. However, the stifling heat and humidity took a toll on MS Dhoni. In a rare sight, MS Dhoni was tired and he was on his haunches as he struggled to get going. The sight of Dhoni getting tired was so heartbreaking. (Image credit: Twitter)
3. MS Dhoni IPL 2020
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MS Dhoni was once again caught unawares in the IPL against Delhi Capitals. In the first encounter, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje managed to curb the scoring rate as Delhi Capitals registered an easy win. However, in the second game, Chennai Super Kings suffered an unfortunate injury to Dwayne Bravo as their death overs bowling options dwindled. Shikhar Dhawan hit a century and Axar Patel hit three sixes of Ravindra Jadeja in the final over as Delhi Capitals registered a thrilling win to go on top of the table. (Image credit: Twitter)
4. MS Dhoni CSK IPL 2020
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In the game against Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings' lack of intent was once again on show as they managed to score just 125/5. Jos Buttler managed to smash 70 and Rajasthan Royals inflicted the seventh loss on Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2020. The sad image of a forlorn MS Dhoni walking back to the pavilion for a cheap score summed up Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2020 campaign.
5. MS Dhoni IPL 2020
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Lack of intent, lack of aggression, dodgy team selection and injuries at key times. Anything that could go wrong for Chennai Super Kings has gone wrong in IPL 2020. It will be a sad end to a proud record if Chennai Super Kings are dumped out of the tournament before the play-offs. (Image credit: Twitter)
