CSK get wakeup call

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The roller coaster ride is quite on expected lines.

With two additional teams in the fray and strength distributed fairly evenly, the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was always difficult to predict and nothing proves that better than the journey of the defending champions so far.

Chennai Super Kings was the one team to retain a fair nucleus of the side but that has not been enough to guarantee them instant success.

The think tank would have hoped for a better record than two wins out of four games. The defeat at the hands of newcomers Kochi Tuskers would have really hurt. Chennai can take solace from the fact that their best results in the league came when they were forced to struggle for qualification.

In the first edition, their knockout slot was not secured until they beat Deccan Chargers in the final league game and it was near fairytale style they reached the last four in 2010 before going on to win the crown. In 2009, in South Africa they were at their dominant best in the league stage before going down meekly to RCB in the last four.

In more ways than one, peaking at the right time is the essence to succeed in the IPL, but it can’t be left till the last game in a 10-team league where the chances of more than two teams finishing with equal points are quite strong.

As of Monday night Dhoni and his men are staring at a poor net run rate (NRR) of -0.097. Two more teams are closing in and with the next assignment against the mighty Mumbai Indians, Chennai have their work cut out.

It’s time for the team combination to be re-cast. With mot of the wickets settling down nicely, the batsmen are having a free time against the medium pacers. There could be a message there. R. Ashwin and Suraj Randiv are the best spinners available in the side and even if they practise the same craft, they should be played ahead of Shadab Jakati who has looked off colour.

The three overseas medium pacers who were fielded against Kochi had a sporting track to operate on but were unable to deliver. They tried hard but the results didn’t arrive. So a possible 2-2 combination would be the step in the right direction for Dhoni.

S. Anirudha who started with a bang has been pushed to No. 7. It’s not fair on the youngster. Mike Hussey has the experience to float in the top-order and Anirudha’s striking ability must be put to better use.

If there is no slot for him at the top, the spot can go to an all-rounder who will give the team more options with the ball. Joginder Sharma will not be a bad option.

Fortune favoured Chennai in the opener against Kolkata Knight Riders, else the situation could have been more dreary. It’s time IPL’s most successful franchise pull up their socks to be in running for a semi-final slot.