The 3 Biggest Challenges for CSK in Away Matches: IPL 2024 Analysis
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have had a mixed performance in their away matches during the IPL 2024 season. While they have shown their dominance at home, their performance on the road has been lacking. This article will explore the three biggest challenges that CSK has faced in their away games, analyzing their seamers’ performance, the struggles of their opening partnerships, and their inability to put up big totals on the board.
1. Subpar Performance of CSK Seamers
One of the major issues for CSK in their away matches has been the subpar performance of their seamers. In several games, their seamers have struggled to contain the opposition’s batsmen, resulting in high run rates. For example, in a game against the Delhi Capitals in Vizag, CSK’s seamers, except for Tushar Deshpande, conceded more than seven runs per over. Deepak Chahar, who opened the innings, had an economy rate of 10.50, while Mustafizur Rahman went at 11.80 in his four overs. Matheesha Pathirana, despite taking three wickets for 31 runs, had an economy rate of 7.80.
The problem persisted in their away games against other teams as well. Against SRH in Hyderabad, Chahar, Deshpande, and Mukesh Chowdhary all went over ten runs per over. This inconsistency in the seamers’ performance has been a significant challenge for CSK on the road.
2. Lack of Flourishing Opening Partnerships
CSK has struggled to establish solid opening partnerships in their away matches, which has put them on the backfoot early on in the game. Against the Delhi Capitals in Vizag, their opening partnership lasted only one over, and in Hyderabad against SRH, it lasted 3.1 overs. Even in their recent game against the Lucknow Super Giants, only four runs were on the board before the first opener, Rachin Ravindra, got out.
The lack of flourishing opening partnerships has impacted CSK’s ability to set a strong foundation for their innings. Without a solid start, the rest of the batting lineup faces a significant challenge in building a competitive total. It is crucial for CSK to address this issue and focus on establishing strong opening partnerships in their away games.
3. Inability to Put Up Big Totals on the Board
CSK’s struggles in away matches have also been reflected in their inability to put up big totals on the board. This problem is closely related to their lack of stability in the top order, particularly in the opening partnerships. The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Rachin Ravindra, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad have all rotated positions in the top three, but none have been able to consistently build significant partnerships.
As a result, CSK has heavily relied on their middle and lower-order batsmen to contribute to the team’s total. This additional burden on the rest of the batting lineup has resulted in them putting up relatively small totals on the board. For instance, against the Delhi Capitals, they scored 171/6 in twenty overs while chasing 192, and against SRH, they managed only 165 in the first innings. In a high-scoring tournament like the IPL, these totals are below par and put CSK at a disadvantage.
Conclusion
CSK’s away matches in the IPL 2024 season have presented them with several challenges. The subpar performance of their seamers, the lack of flourishing opening partnerships, and their inability to put up big totals on the board have been the primary issues they have faced. To improve their away game performance, CSK needs to address these challenges and find solutions that will allow them to compete at the same level as they do in their home matches. By strengthening their seam attack, focusing on developing solid opening partnerships, and ensuring substantial totals, CSK can enhance their chances of success in away games.
Remember, cricket is an unpredictable game, and even the best teams face challenges. With the right strategies and improvements, CSK can overcome these obstacles and come back stronger in the remaining matches of the IPL 2024 season.
