Chennai Super Kings' Powerplay Woes: A Short-Ball Story
Recent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 have highlighted a concerning trend for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK): a significant inefficiency in the powerplay overs. A recurring theme in the IPL historically has been about setting the game in with the new ball first up, and 2025 has been no different. A deeper look reveals a clear pattern of struggle against short-pitched deliveries, hindering their momentum from the outset.
Powerplay Performance Discrepancies
Across the first 11 IPL matches, winning teams have demonstrated a strong start, scoring at a rate of 11.16 runs per over during the powerplay, losing just 10 wickets at an average of 73.7. Conversely, losing teams have managed only 9.21 runs per over, losing 22 wickets at a higher average of 27.63. The average powerplay score in the first 11 games has been 61, while CSK's has been a paltry 45.
CSK's Powerplay Struggles - The Numbers
CSK's powerplay scoring rate has been a stark contrast to the league average, registering a mere 7.44 runs per over in their first three games - comfortably the lowest among all 10 teams. This inefficiency stems from a clear vulnerability to short-ball bowling.
Short-Ball Strategy Unravels CSK
Several instances have underscored this issue. In RCB’s rare win at Chepauk, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar effectively used short-ball tactics. Similarly, Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpannde followed suit against CSK, limiting them to a slow start. Six of the seven pull shots attempted off these deliveries were false strokes, including two fours and a six.
Batting Performance Against Short Balls
Here's a breakdown of CSK batters’ performance against short balls in the IPL since 2023:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad: 225 runs off 146 balls, strike rate 154.13
- Devon Conway: 106 runs off 66 balls, strike rate 160.63
- Rahul Tripathi: 82 runs off 65 balls, strike rate 126.15
- Rachin Ravindra: 66 runs off 55 balls, strike rate 120.45
- Comparison with League: The league average for CSK batters against short balls is 30.61, with a strike rate of just 21.93.
Strategic Adjustments by Opposition Teams
Rajasthan Royals (RR) demonstrated clever tactical awareness. Despite Archer's economical spell, they deployed Maheesh Theekshana in a crucial over, showcasing adaptability. Even Mitchell Starc, known for his conventional swing, has been switching to short-pitched deliveries effectively.
Conclusion
CSK’s struggles against short-ball bowling in the powerplay are a clear area of concern. Addressing this vulnerability will be critical for the team to maintain consistent performance and compete effectively throughout IPL 2025. The ability to adapt and counter these strategies will be key for their success.