CSK last successfully chased a 180+ total in IPL 2018; Where are they going wrong batting second?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been struggling to chase down targets of 180+ in the IPL and also have the lowest strike rate in the powerplay. What’s causing their failure?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have one of the greatest finishers in white-ball cricket in MS Dhoni. Yet, they have struggled to finish games or chase down targets with ease. After a tense but successful chase against Mumbai Indians in the opening game, CSK have lost twice in a row while chasing targets of 180-plus against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), respectively.

A look at CSK’s history reveals their struggles in chasing targets of 180 or more. In fact, the last time CSK successfully chased down a target of 180-plus was in the 2018 IPL when Ambati Rayudu cracked an unbeaten 100 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Since that game, CSK have lost nine matches while chasing 180 or more, including a 50-run defeat to RCB at home in Chennai this season.

Even with the introduction of the Impact Player rule in 2023—which gives chasing teams an extra batter—CSK have continued to struggle. Since the rule came into effect, CSK have lost all six matches in which they were tasked with chasing 180-plus.

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Here’s a look at the results of those matches:

So, what are the problems plaguing CSK in chasing 180-plus targets?

Slow Powerplay
When chasing a big total, teams need to maximise the powerplay and score as many runs as possible to ease the pressure in the middle and death overs. However, for CSK, this has not been the case. They have struggled to get going in the powerplay while chasing big targets, leaving themselves with too much to do in the death overs.

As a result, even with finishers like Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni in the lower order, CSK have found it difficult to finish matches, as the required run rate climbs too high.

Here’s a look at how CSK have fared in the powerplay in those six matches while chasing 180-plus:

CSK have reached the 50-run mark just once in the powerplay in those six losses. This has put immense pressure on the middle and lower-order batters, forcing them to take higher risks to compensate for the rising required run rate.

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Questionable Strategy
CSK’s game strategy is also questionable, given their lack of urgency to score quick runs in the powerplay. CSK’s performances over the last few IPL seasons show that they have the lowest strike rate in the powerplay among the 10 teams since IPL 2019.

Here’s a look at the teams with the lowest strike rate in the powerplay since IPL 2019:

Is Dhoni the Reason for CSK’s Losses?
A lot of questions have been raised MS about Dhoni’s diminishing ability to finish off games. However, a look at his performances in those six losses show that Dhoni averages 67 in five innings, striking at 200, aggregating 134 runs. He has batted at No. 8 three times, and once each at No. 9 and No. 7.

Hence, it’s not that Dhoni has wasted deliveries, but rather that he is coming in too late to make a significant impact on the result. When he was in his prime, Dhoni regularly batted at No. 4 to No. 6, giving himself and his team a greater chance of forcing a win.

Since IPL 2024, however, he has been batting at No. 8 or lower due to his knee issue. As a result, he hasn’t been able to carry the team across the line—not because of his finishing ability, but because he simply hasn’t had enough balls left to take the team home.

Way forward

Powerplay reboot
CSK need to rework their strategy in the powerplay, as the slow starts are putting excessive strain on the middle and lower-order batters. If the openers can add 20-30 extra runs in the powerplay, it would significantly ease the burden on the finishers, making the asking rate in the death overs more manageable.

Middle-overs urgency
The middle-order batters also need to step up and show urgency in scoring quick and impactful runs. If the top order capitalises on the powerplay, the middle-order must sustain the momentum and look to kill the chase much before the death overs. Even if the asking rate rises slightly but remains manageable, the finishers can still take the team past the finish line.

Use Dhoni higher up the order
CSK must utilise Dhoni’s finishing ability more effectively. He has been striking well but is facing too few deliveries at No. 8 or lower to make a meaningful impact on the game’s result. Dhoni’s big hitting in IPL 2025 has been as impactful as any other cricketer in the league. Hence, the team management must push him up the order to No. 5 or 6, where he can control the game with more deliveries at his disposal and guide the team to victory.

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