CSK pegged back by middle order muddle

Season after season, the slow MA Chidambaram Stadium pitches were the perfect means for Chennai Super Kings to find momentum in their IPL campaigns.

- Sanjeeev K Samyal

MUMBAI: The sluggish, turning tracks at Chepauk have played no mean role in leaving rival teams anxious even before the first ball was bowled.

For the five-time champions, collecting most points at home was the template to success. The numbers say it all — overall 51 wins in 76 matches played at Chepauk. Even last season, CSK had a formidable home run, winning five of their seven games, although they narrowly missed the playoffs after finishing fifth in the points table.

This is a bleak season for CSK, however. The manner in which they have stumbled from one game to another — CSK are bottom of the table with just two wins from nine games and appear likely to end up way below the playoff spots — seem less about salvaging this season but more about planning a revamp of the once-formidable set-up.