CSK should behave like minnows and discard nostalgia - CSK vs SRH pre-match analysis

Chennai

Early years of the past decade, the Bangladesh team will have the wicket keeper constantly encouraging fielders and bowlers in their smallest of efforts. They too will be on their toes plying to make inroads in the match.

That effervescence of spiritedness was frowned upon by some as over-enthusiastic (today's Bangladesh proves them wrong). Looking at Chennai Super Kings' performance in this installment of IPL, we realise it's high time they espouse such an attitude.

Reminiscing trivia and past glory to romanticise Chennai's defeat isn't taking them anywhere. Stepping into the do or die phase CSK should behave like minnows looking for a resurgence.

In their encounter against RCB, CSK looked more lethargic in their attitude rather than a faulty game plan. Dhoni may have been a best finisher, given his age you don't leave him to his fate by shooting up the required rate to 15 in the last four overs.

This was done by the men in yellow even in their previous outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The only good thing about CSK's last match is the inclusion of Narayan Jagadeesan. We know he has a range of strokes up his sleeve, but most importantly he displayed character. The rest of the team didn't.

He decided to step on the pedal in the 11th or 12th over when the required rate was as much as the number of overs. You can get away with a slow powerplay but not a snail-paced 13 to 16 overs especially not with the composition of Chennai. Running between the wickets was so uninspiring, converting ones into twos is the time-tested method to force bowlers to commit mistakes, Chennai bungled with that basic rule.

SRH more or less just needs to try repeating their previous match against Chennai. Hyderabad has the bowling ammo to make Chennai repeat their middle overs mistake.

TN boys Thangarasu Natarajan, Vijay Shankar (SRH) and Jagadeesan (CSK) know each other's strengths and limitations, this mini rivalry could be interesting.

SRH batting should be careful not to lose too many wickets up front, they need either Jonny Bairstow or David Warner or Kane Williamson till the end to make death overs fructuous.  Hyderabad mind you, can stay afloat despite early blows, Pandey and Warner partnership against Rajasthan was an exemplary.

Other than that, it would be more than enough for the men in orange to win the match if they just capitalise on CSK's errors (if Chennai still doesn't make amends).

CSK, if it chases again should set a mental alarm when the run rate creeps over 11 or 12, switch gears. Whether it chases or defends, it shouldn't take 13-16 overs for granted.

The hubris of exceptional track record should take a back seat and CSK should go for grabs at every small opportunity else the orange army will overwhelm them to submission.