3 matches CSK will regret losing the most in IPL 2024
CSK and consistency are synonymous. Before IPL 2024, the defending champions had qualified for playoffs in 12 out of the 14 seasons they had participated in in the IPL.
A victory against RCB or even a defeat by a margin of less than 18 runs on May 18, 2024, would have ensured a place in the final four for the Men in Yellow. However, it was not to be and CSK, despite winning seven matches and having a Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.392, failed to make it to the playoffs.
Their progress was hampered by injuries to key bowlers throughout the tournament.
On that note, here is a look at three matches CSK will regret losing the most in IPL 2024:
#1 CSK vs RCB:
The night of May 18, 2024, will haunt CSK fans for a long time. RCB posted a commendable total of 218 in 20 overs at the M Chinaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and CSK needed 201 to make it to the play-offs.
Despite losing two early wickets (Ruturaj Gaikwad and Daryl Mitchell), Rachin Ravindra and Ajinka Rahane steadied the ship and added 66 runs for the third wicket.
Overs 13 ti15 witnessed three more wickets falling and CSK were reduced to 129 for the loss of six wickets in 15 overs.
In walked the trusted warrior MS Dhoni and he, along with Ravindra Jadeja, offered a glimmer of hope for the loyal CSK fans. The duo added 61 runs in just 26 balls before Dhoni perished after scoring 25 runs from 13 balls.
Jadeja, on the other end, played a valiant unbeaten knock of 42 from 22 balls. But it was not enough and CSK failed to reach the magic figure of 201. The match was lost by 27 runs and CSK were knocked out of IPL 2024.
#2 CSK Vs GT:
In 11 matches in IPL 2024, GT had won only four and the team looked down and out before their home match against the defending champions.
However, GT played the perfect match of the tournament and handed a 35-run defeat to the Men in Yellow in Ahmedabad on May 10, 2024.
CSK won a rare toss and put the home team in to bat first. What followed was absolute mayhem. The GT opening duo comprising Shubnham Gill (104 from 55 balls) and Sai Sudharshan (103 from 51 balls) thrashed CSK bowlers all over the park and added 210 for the first wicket.
The CSK bowling outfit, sans the experienced Mustafizur Rahman and the injured Matheesha Pathirana, had no answer to the onslaught.
CSK lost three early wickets, and despite impressive half-centuries from the blades of Daryl Mitchell (63) and Moeen Ali (56), the visitors fell short of the target by 35 runs. The margin of loss dented their NRR considerably.
#3 CSK vs LSG:
CSK had won three out of three encounters at home and seemed to be invincible in their own den i.e. at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Despite losing the away match against LSG, CSK were confident of beating LSG on their home turf on April 23, 2024.
The hosts posted a massive total of 210 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy of a brilliant unbeaten century (108* from 60 balls) from the bat of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. A blistering cameo from Shivam Dube (66 from 27 balls) guided CSK to an impressive total.
The Men in Yellow seemed in complete control of the game, picking up three LSG wickets in the first 11 overs with just 88 runs on the board. LSG needed 123 more runs in nine overs while playing in front of a full-capacity crowd in Chennai with the hosts having their tails up.
Marcus Stoinis had other ideas and he inflicted wounds on the CSK fans. He played one of the best knocks in the history of the IPL and silenced the Chennai crowd. His unbeaten knock of 124 from 63 balls included 13 boundaries and six maximums and he led his team to a win with three balls to spare.
CSK were handed a defeat in their own den which was a big blow for the team and the loss against LSG at home will go on to have a huge impact on their playoff chances later.