3 things CSK need to do better to avoid second successive loss to LSG in IPL 2024
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 39 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Tuesday (April 23) in Chepauk.
CSK have secured four victories in seven games and are positioned fourth in the points table. Meanwhile, LSG also have four wins in the same number of appearances as their opposition.
The two teams clashed against each other in their latest outing at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. Batting first, the Super Kings posted 176 on the board, led by a contribution from Ravindra Jadeja (57). Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers for the home team with two wickets.
In response, skipper KL Rahul (82) and Quinton de Kock (54) were sublime with their performances to help the Super Giants seal the chase in 19 overs. It will be interesting to see if they can continue the momentum and win at CSK's den as well.
On that note, let's check out the three areas where CSK can do better to win against LSG on Tuesday.
1) Bring stability at the top
Over the last seven games, Chennai Super Kings have shuffled their opening pair on multiple occasions. Ajinkya Rahane and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been interchanging their positions from opening to No. 3 slot, with Rachin Ravindra being the permanent opener.
Along with Rahane and Gaikwad's inconsistent contributions, coupled with Ravindra's bad form, CSK haven't gotten off to a strong start from their openers since the March 26 game against Gujarat Titans.
Hence, the pressure is on the middle-order batters like Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni to increase the tempo and help Chennai post a formidable score on the board. CSK thus badly need stability at the top.
2) CSK should secure breakthroughs with their spinners
It is likely that Maheesh Theekshana will replace Mustafizur Rahman due to the slow surface in Chepauk. If this is the case, CSK will play with three spinners; Jadeja, Ali and Theekshana, who will need to be consistent in taking wickets.
However, that has not been the case so far for CSK. In seven appearances, Jadeja has scalped only four wickets, while Theekshana has managed to pick up two wickets in three games. On a spin-assisting surface, it will be paramount for them to put LSG batters under pressure with their skills.
3) Deepak Chahar-Tushar Deshpande need to come to the party
Although the likes of Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman have been among the key wicket-takers for CSK, the Indian pace-bowling duo of Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande are yet to deliver goods this season.
Chahar has appeared in five games and has only taken four wickets at an economy of 9.08. He has been ineffective in securing crucial wickets in the powerplay with his ability to swing the ball in both directions.
Meanwhile, Deshpande has six scalps in seven games, while conceding runs at an economy of 8.31. Barring 3/33 against Kolkata Knight Riders, the right-arm pacer has failed to contain the batters.
It is thus imperative that the duo starts performing consistently before we head to the business end of the season.