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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are confronting a challenging season in the Indian Premier League (IPL), as their recent loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad further jeopardises their prospects of reaching the playoffs. The match concluded in a five-wicket defeat, leaving CSK at the bottom of the league table with a mere four points from nine matches.
Injury Woes & Team Adjustments
The squad's campaign has been hampered by an early season-ending injury to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, prompting CSK to leverage their player roster extensively. To date, the franchise has utilised 20 players from their 27-member squad. A glimpse of optimism emerged as Dewald Brevis was given his debut, and Ayush Mhatre was promoted to the opening position in the encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Auction Strategies & Team Dynamics
Former CSK icon Suresh Raina has reflected on the team's auction strategies, shedding light on the decision-making process. Raina commented, "They always say MS Dhoni makes the final call. But to be very honest, I never attended any of the auctions. I was never a part of those discussions. I always talked about the players who were retained."
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Raina explained that the auction management predominantly rests with the core group, with Dhoni's influence being more selective. He added, "Even with an uncapped player’s potential, MS Dhoni at 43 continues to lead, contributing both as a captain and a player."
Performance Concerns Amid High Expectations
Raina critiqued the contribution of some high-paid players, suggesting they are falling short of meeting expectations. He questioned the underperformance of those earning substantial salaries, saying, "Those who are paid ₹18 crores, ₹17 crores, ₹12 crores - they're not responding to the captain."
Raina observed that while CSK have managed to stage comebacks in past seasons, this year's predicament seems more severe, with only five matches remaining. He concluded by predicting an internal team meeting, highlighting Dhoni's apparent dissatisfaction following the latest defeat.
