Lack of six appeal in CSK's batting

How quickly the night changes, eh? Between 2021 and 2023, when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, they were the global T20 leader in sixes among all franchises. It's what enabled them to win matches. Their squad construction was such that they had multiple spin-hitters in the middle-order, several pace-hitters up top and gave players the freedom to express themselves without the fear of consequence.

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The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Robin Uthappa and Ruturaj Gaikwad blossomed, coupled with a sprinkling of overseas dust (Faf du Plessis or Devon Conway and a bit of MoeenAli). This squad covered all bases and there was high intent across all phases. Sure, their bowlers consistently delivered but batters backed them up.

In that three-year period in question, the franchise hit a six every 15 balls. Since 2024? One every 16.3 deliveries. In a league where pitches, if anything, have become more conducive to six-hitting and every other team in the division have improved in this particular metric, Chennai, whose MO used to be marginal gains and reading patterns, have fallen off a cliff.