Now every game is a final for CSK, and I actually love it: Hussey

LUCKNOW: Chennai Super Kings will have to treat every remaining game as a final after their defeat to Lucknow Super Giants left their IPL campaign hanging by a thread, said batting coach Michael Hussey.

CSK were outplayed by an already-eliminated LSG side as Mitchell Marsh's blistering 38-ball 90 powered the hosts to a comfortable chase of 188 on a pace-friendly surface on Friday. The defeat left Ruturaj Gaikwad's side stranded on 12 points from 13 matches, turning their final two league fixtures into virtual knockout contests.

"I actually love this time of the tournament because it's like every game is like a final and we're in that situation now," Hussey said, with CSK now needing victories in both their remaining games while also relying on a few other results to go in their favour.

"This is where (stage of the tournament) the pressure is really on everyone, not just us, but all the other teams as well. And you can see some crazy things happen. So we're still (in with) a chance...we still have belief that we can make it through," he said during the post-match press conference.

Much like CSK skipper Gaikwad, who remained unfazed by the defeat and insisted the playoff task was still manageable, Hussey too struck a calm note, saying the team was building towards an exciting climax to the league stage.

"We're going to obviously have to take care of our business. Probably need a couple of results to go our way as well. But that's the nature of this tournament. And I feel like it's really building to a really nice climax.

"And that's why I think it's one of the best tournaments in the world, because at this stage of the tournament, there's only two teams that are actually definitely out. Even the teams that are below us are still a chance theoretically to make the final. So I think it's an awesome opportunity for everyone. That's the way we'll be looking at it," added Hussey.

Hussey felt CSK's batters had done a commendable job in posting 187 on a pitch offering pace and bounce, but admitted the bowlers' inability to break the opening stand between Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis early allowed LSG to turn the contest into a one-sided affair.