The Chennai Super Kings have had their worst season so far in IPL 2020. The 3-time IPL champions had kicked off their campaign in style by defeating the Mumbai Indians at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. However, what followed that was an embarrassing performance for a champion side like CSK. For the first time, CSK playoff hopes are negligible this year.
The Men in Yellow could win only two of their next nine games, which almost ended their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. The Super Kings recorded a comprehensive win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier today, and still, they have a mathematical chance of making it to the Top 4.
Surprisingly, skipper MS Dhoni was not quite confident that his team could qualify for the playoffs. Here’s what he said in the post-match presentation:
“It does hurt when you don’t do well so you try to amplify certain emotions. So that the guys just don’t leave the game. You know, we don’t really have a chance to get into the playoffs. Let’s not get into the mathematical things. That can leave with 12 painful hours of the remaining time in the tournament. You have to enjoy the game no matter where you are on the table. If you are not enjoying the cricket, it can become cruel and painful. So I am glad with how the youngsters have responded.”
You can watch the playoffs part from 4:30 minute in the video.
Thus, MS Dhoni seems to be putting zero pressure on his players ahead of the playoffs. They still have a minor chance, but it is highly probable that CSK can sneak into the Top 4. While the IPL 2019 runners-up are likely out of the tourney now, they should still aim to finish higher on the points table.
Never in the IPL history has MS Dhoni’s team finished last on the standings, and thus, that is something the team’s youngsters should aim to avoid. CSK will play their last two matches against KXIP and KKR.
