Chennai Super Kings could fail to make it to the playoffs if they lose even one more match, former India fast bowler RP Singh has warned. CSK have gotten off to a rather disastrous to the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, losing all three of the matches they have played thus far.
It also marks a rather sluggish start to a new era in the team's history, with long-time captain MS Dhoni announcing that he will be stepping down at the start of the season and handing the reins over to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
“Losing three matches anyhow shows its a difficult time for them but if they lose even one more match, then it becomes very difficult to see them making the top 4. Because then you left too far behind with a poor net run rate and lesser number of matches left to be played,” said RP Singh on Cricbuzz.
The 2022 season two new teams in Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, which could make the race to the top four of the table even tighter than it was with eight teams.
{{/usCountry}}The 2022 season two new teams in Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, which could make the race to the top four of the table even tighter than it was with eight teams.
{{/usCountry}}“With 10 teams, you don't even know what the math will be, how much points a team needs to make to make it to the top four. Today we didn't see the CSK we are used to seeing, whether it be the top order or middle order, apart from that one partnership. So it doesn't look like they are able to plan and take the game forward,” said the former fast bowler.
On Sunday, CSK lost to Punjab Kings by a margin of 54 runs. Liam Livingston's 60 led PBKS to a score of 180/8 after which CSK were all out for just 126 in 18 overs. CSK had collapsed to 36/5 in less than eight overs and it was a 62-run stand between Shivam Dube and Dhoni that helped them reach the three-figure mark.