Wake-up call for CSK after defeat

Only twice in their 6 games this IPL season have CSK scored 10 runs per over after the first batting Powerplay.

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: CSK were chasing in all 5 matches before Friday's loss to KKR, so even those two occasions could be put down to run rate pressure. Defending totals at home though was where they used to excel. But not anymore. In a season where the average Powerplay score has been 57, CSK average 45, plummeting to a new low of 31/2 against KKR.

CSK are not scoring enough. With skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out for the rest of the season, the problem goes beyond the two Kiwi batters, Devon Conway and the promising Rachin Ravindra. Rahul Tripathi and Vijay Shankar are good strikers but not outstanding. Shivam Dube has proven to be a middle-overs enforcer, but only when someone is anchoring the innings at the other end. That leaves R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni, a lower order that doesn't excite the senses anymore.