Chennai Super Kings’ less-than-desirable run in the current edition of the Indian Premier League has fans, cricket enthusiasts and former cricketers questioning their decisions and process, with head coach Stephen Fleming admitting that the team may have “run out of juice”.
The three-time IPL champions are currently at the bottom of the points table having won only three out of 10 matches.
The CSK management is reportedly unhappy with the way things are going for the franchise this year. CSK is expected to make some “tough calls” as everyone is “unhappy and disappointed”, a report on InsideSport said, quoting an unnamed source.
The M.S. Dhoni-led side is staring at the possibility of not making it through to the play-offs for the first time. Fleming also confirmed after their recent loss against Rajasthan Royals that the morale of the team is low.
After the loss against RR, Dhoni had said that he didn’t see a spark in the team’s youngsters, prompting a backlash from people in the cricketing fraternity, including former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth. He called CSK’s process of selection wrong, adding that he didn’t agree with Dhoni’s comments when youngsters like N. Jagadeesan showed spark while players such as Kedar Jadhav and Piyush Chawla continued to fail.
Fresh auctions are expected to be conducted next year ahead of the 2021 IPL. It will give the Chennai franchise a chance to build a stronger and younger team as opposed to the current squad consisting of mostly veterans and more experienced players.
If the team is to be trimmed, keeping in mind the franchise’s resurrection, many players are likely to get the axe. Among them will be Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina, whose contracts with CSK have already come to an end. Kedar Jadhav and Piyush Chawla have been called out by Srikkanth for their inconsistent performance this season and can be pushed to the back of the team for fresher faces. Imran Tahir will turn 42 next year, and if a younger team is to take over, the Pakistani South African cricketer is unlikely to find a place in the squad.
Dhoni has been synonymous with the Chennai Super Kings and the likelihood of watching the team in action without its ‘Thala’ is impossible to imagine. However, India’s World Cup-winning captain can be expected to be associated with the team in some way and not bid adieu as he did in August when he retired from international cricket.
