Follow UsChennai Super Kings (CSK) have never been in this situation before in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With just one win out of six games, they look in dire straits, with a genuine possibility of finishing at the bottom of the table for the first-ever time in IPL.
Following yet another terrible loss at the hands of KKR, on April 11 (Friday), former India captain and later selector Kris Srikkanth gave his honest opinion, calling CSK as ‘best amongst the worst teams’. But Srikkanth didn’t stop there; he even said that CSK are taking the Green India concept seriously with its dot balls.
CSK have the lowest run rate this season in the powerplay, scoring at 7.5 RPO, far away from the best team, Rajasthan Royals (RR), who have a run rate of 10.7 in the first six-over phase.
“If you have a batting powerplay like this, how can you win any match? Meanwhile, KKR absolutely trashed you, and other teams are playing high-tempo. CSK have taken the ‘Green India’ concept seriously, and they have planted so many trees at Chepauk,” a livid Srikkanth said.
“The point is they have played so defensively and so much tuk-tuk that they are making the bowlers look so good. Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway couldn’t attack them, do you think they couldn’t have come down the track and played?”
Srikkanth was absolutely livid and disappointed with Ravindra, who could only amass 149 runs in the season at a strike rate of 126.27.
“I had so much hopes on Rachin Ravindra to perform, but now I have to bow down to him, he can only hit when there’s too much width or when the ball is bowled to the legs. He can’t really hit when the ball is on the body.”
The former Indian selector also revealed that everyone in Chennai was hopeful that CSK could turn its fortunes around with MS Dhoni returning as skipper.
“Everyone were expecting CSK to win because MS Dhoni returned as a captain. Spinners will do really well, it will be a good performance. It all went in vain, it was one of the most horrible performances. I haven’t seen a terrible performance ever from them like this," he said.
CSK find themselves at the foothill of the table, only one spot ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a disastrous start to the IPL 2025 season.