IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings' impressive campaign despite having inexperienced bowling attack. CSK have 15 points from 13 games in IPL 2023.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 16th edition of IPL have performed the way they usually do, that is to maintain consistency and be at the forefront to qualify for the playoffs. CSK led by MS Dhoni is on the cusp of reaching the playoffs once again having accumulated 15 points till now with a game left.
This after finishing at the no.9 spot in the previous season where they endured a forgettable, disappointing campaign. And when it looked like CSK may find it tough to compete in this season with the team they had, they surprised everyone with this turnaround. With a somewhat depleted side, CSK played as a bunch led by their inspirational skipper MS Dhoni.
How did they manage to turn it around?
Top 4 have come to the party
What is CSK doing differently from last season that allowed to them to be at the second position in the points table with last round of game to go? We can start with the openers - Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The left-right combo has given the team great starts this season and almost nullified the fact that CSK has one of the most inexperienced bowling attacks in the league. In the early phase of IPL, the duo’s starts have time and again proved to be quite handful.
Conway has been a welcome addition and he has continued the tradition of an overseas opener coming good for CSK joining the likes of Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Faf du Plessis, Brendon McCullum and Dwyane Smith who were too good at the top for the men in yellow. The Kiwi opener is the leading run-getter for the franchise this season scoring 498 runs at an average of 49.8 with a strike rate of just under 135. At the home venue of CSK, which is known to spin, Conway has scored 350 runs at an average of 70 with three of his 5 fifty-plus scores coming at this venue in 2023. The rest of the batters play around Conway as the batter anchors along the innings.
Ruturaj is not someone who can be left behind when it comes to CSK and IPL. The opener has been an unsung partner but he himself scored 425 runs in 12 innings and it has come at a strike rate of just more than 147. He might have not scored the big runs barring a 90+ score early in the season but his quick fire 30s and 40s have helped CSK immensely.
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The success of CSK’s no.3 and 4 has been a refreshing site for many. Let us start with Ajinkya Rahane for whom many may not have given a chance to succeed, especially in this format. Originally not in the playing XI for initial few games and an injury to Ben Stokes opened the door for Rahane to make his first appearance. He took the opportunity with both hands and played two stunning knocks. In his maiden IPL game for the CSK, Rahane made a scintillating 61 off 27 balls against MI before playing an even more impactful knock of unbeaten 71 off 29. Both helped CSK win and thus far Rahane has scored 282 at a strike rate of just under 170.
CSK’s batting might get complete by Shivam Dube who has surprised everyone with his success as a Super King. He has scored 363 runs in 11 innings and his strike rate is 157.14 which is mind blowing for someone who played majority of his knocks on the slow Chennai track. His ability to hit spinners at will and attack them even when chips are down made a great deal of difference to CSK in the middle overs.
The top-4 have scored bulk of the runs and the likes of MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali have just been required to give the finishing touches to the innings. Considering how inexperienced their bowling unit became after the withdrawal of Kyle Jamieson, injury to Ben Stokes and unavailability of premier pacer Deepak Chahar for the majority of the league, CSK required the batting to make big scores to ease some pressure off the bowlers and CSK’s top order did just that.
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Inexperienced bowling attack has come good
CSK’s injury woes at the start to Kyle Jamieson and in the initial phase of IPL to the likes of Deepak Chahar and Ben Stokes meant they had only bowlers like Tushar Deshpande, Akash Singh, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana (all below 25 years of age and meagre IPL experience) to rely upon apart from the seasoned spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali.
A a result, the start was difficult for Super Kings with respect to their bowling and the department which was one of CSK’s strengths turned to become their weakness. Batters stepped up when required and the inexperienced bowling had the luxury of extra runs.
Tushar and Akash found it difficult initially but as the tournament progressed, the youngsters especially the former came into his own. Deshpande now has 19 wickets in 13 games and is the highest wicket-taker in this edition for CSK; yes, his ER is 9.79 which is on the higher side but his wicket-taking ability should be lauded and it came in absence of Chahar.
Theekshana had an on and off tournament but his country mate and pacer Matheesha Pathirana has been the find of the IPL for CSK. He has taken 13 wickets in 9 games with an economy rate of less than 8 which is great for a death bowler. He rarely gave any freebies and kept the batters under check with his unique action.
The main reason for CSK bowlers’ revival has to be the mentorship of MS Dhoni who has led this young crop of bowlers from the front. He persisted with this young team even when they had off days and the end result is there for all to see.
CSK will play their last league game against Delhi Capitals in Delhi on May 20.
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