CSK's Performance Under Scrutiny

New Delhi [India] - Former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has expressed concerns regarding the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) disappointing performance in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Aaron specifically addressed the issues faced by the bowling unit, particularly focusing on bowler Pathirana's recent struggles. He pointed out that Pathirana has not been performing at his best, having altered his bowling action, failing to deliver yorkers effectively, and accumulating a significant number of extras.

“The entire team has been impacted by poor form, especially the bowling department. CSK relied heavily on Pathirana to secure wickets in crucial moments and defend their totals, but he has been far from his usual self. His change in action has led to him not landing yorkers consistently, and he has given away 31 extras this tournament, which is excessive for a leading bowler,” Aaron remarked during a discussion on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar.

He also mentioned that CSK's batting lacked vigor during the middle overs until Brevis joined the team. “They have struggled to gain momentum with the bat in the middle overs. Brevis has injected some much-needed energy, but prior to his arrival, the team was lacking. They need to reassess their strategy and understand what went wrong during the auction. They miss players like Tristan Stubbs or Tim David to finish innings. While MS Dhoni is still around, relying on him after 18 years is not sustainable,” he added.

After their defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS), the MS Dhoni-led CSK has been eliminated from the playoff contention for this IPL season, marking their fifth home loss and their poorest performance at Chepauk Stadium.

Currently, PBKS holds the third position in the standings with six victories and three defeats, totaling 13 points. In contrast, CSK finds itself at the bottom with only two wins and eight losses, accumulating just four points.