CSK Thought They Can Make it Work What Doesn’t Work Elsewhere: Chopra
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been struggling to find their footing in the tournament this season. With only a few matches left to play, CSK finds themselves at the bottom of the points table, a far cry from their usual position of dominance. While many have been left scratching their heads trying to figure out what went wrong, cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has shed some light on the issue.
According to Chopra, CSK’s problem this season lies in their arrogance. The franchise, he believes, thought they could make things work that doesn’t work anywhere else. Specifically, CSK was banking on players who were not performing elsewhere to suddenly find their form after joining the camp.
“I think CSK have got a realisation this season,” Chopra said in a recent interview. “They thought that players who are not performing will come in form after joining CSK camp. But that’s not how it works. You can’t just join a camp and suddenly start performing. It’s not like that.”
Chopra’s comments come as a stark reality check for the CSK management, who have been accused of being complacent and over-reliant on their star players. While CSK has always been a team that relies heavily on its senior players, this season has seen a significant dip in form from some of their biggest names.
One of the main reasons for CSK’s struggles has been the poor form of their openers. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was one of the top run-scorers in the previous edition, has struggled to find his rhythm this season. Similarly, Moeen Ali, who was signed as a replacement for Suresh Raina, has also failed to make an impact.
The struggles of CSK’s openers have put a lot of pressure on the middle order, which has also failed to deliver. The team’s batting has been inconsistent, with not a single player having been able to maintain a good run of form throughout the season.
The CSK management has been criticized for not making the necessary changes to the team’s batting line-up. Despite the struggles of their openers, they have continued to persist with the same combination, hoping that things would change. However, it seems that Chopra’s comments may be a wake-up call for the franchise.
Chopra’s views have been echoed by many cricket experts, who have pointed out that CSK’s team selection and strategy have been flawed this season. The franchise has been too reliant on its star players, and has failed to give opportunities to its young players.
CSK’s struggles this season have been a far cry from their dominance in the earlier editions of the IPL. Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, the team had won three titles and finished as runners-up on two occasions. However, this season has seen a significant decline in their performance.
As the season draws to a close, CSK will be hoping to turn things around and finish on a high note. However, it remains to be seen whether they can recover from their struggles and make a late push for a playoff spot.
In conclusion, Chopra’s comments serve as a stark reminder that CSK’s struggles this season are a result of their own doing. The franchise’s arrogance and over-reliance on its star players have led to their downfall, and it remains to be seen whether they can learn from their mistakes and bounce back in the future.
Source: https://x.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1923302404876808598
