IPL 2019: Chennai Super Kings Considering a Team Overhaul

All through the Indian Premier League 2019, the Chennai Super Kings had been running rampant. However, one team has been their Kryptonite this IPL 2019 season, the Mumbai Indians.

The MI Paltan have beaten CSK in both their league games and again in the first playoff game. When the Super Kings entered the final, the question was, will it be fourth time’s the charm? Apparently not.

Now, the Chennai Super Kings have a lot to think about and have even suggested a number of changes to the squad. CSK have been playing in IPL 2019 with a largely ageing team, with many players in their 30s.

The age factor has had an adverse effect on skills like fielding and running between the wickets. Due to this, taking quick singles and doubles was a huge struggle as not many players are spry on their feet.

Regarding their issues, coach Stephen Fleming said, “We will give some time for dust to settle down. I think if you win one title and reach the final next time, you have had good two years. We do understand that we are an ageing team. So, at some point, we just have to look at recreating the side, obviously MS as well,” 

Skipper MS Dhoni even confessed that their middle order batting was one area that needed work. Another example of the age factor was Shane Watson’s inconsistency, although he smashed a high score of 96 during the IPL campaign and struck 80 in the final, he could not keep up the high scores.

Now, Fleming has said that the Yellow army will refocus once the ICC World Cup 2019 ends.

“He (Dhoni) will be travelling to the World Cup. A lot of talent has been established in other teams. You need to do it carefully and get the balance right, when you try to go for players who you think can deliver for us. This year in Chennai was tough (turning track), the conditions were tough to read, hard to play. A little bit of training as well, our batters weren’t big enough from the form point of view,” 

The Chennai Super Kings were understandable gutted when they lost by a single run to Mumbai. It was a case of so close and yet so far for the 3-time IPL champions, while MI took their 4th title.