NEW DELHI: As the IPL’s long summer winds towards its conclusion, the Arun Jaitley Stadium is set to host a faceoff between two storied but struggling franchises, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
The match on Tuesday evening may lack playoff implications, with both teams languishing at the foot of the table, but pride, future prospects, and the desire to end on a high note remain potent motivators for both sides. Chennai Super Kings, five-time champions and perennial heavyweights, have endured a rare bad season.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With only three wins from 12 matches, their campaign has been defined by a revolving door of personnel and the absence of performance from their overseas stars. The team’s traditional reliance on experienced players, often dubbed the ‘dad’s army’, has come under scrutiny this season.
Despite the team’s struggles, head coach Stephen Fleming has reiterated his commitment to this philosophy, emphasizing the value of experience over age.
“I don’t care how old the players are. The experience has served us really well over the grand years that we have had. It hasn’t worked out quite well for us this year. The fact that we have been so consistent over a number of years to have a poor year has shaken everybody. It is understandable given the excellence in which the franchises are operating,” Fleming said.
“I am a fan of experience, experience wins tournaments. But the youth and talent in this country is something you can’t ignore,” he added.
Despite Fleming’s words, it’s a group of youngsters who have shone for CSK this season.
Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis have displayed potential and hold the promise for delivering for the franchise in coming seasons. In the bowling front, the emergence of Noor Ahmad has been a silver lining. The young Afghan spinner has impressed with his wicket-taking abilities and economy rate. Alongside him, Matheesha Pathirana has shown promise. Overall, though, CSK’s bowling unit has lacked consistency.
For Rajasthan Royals, this fixture marks the end of a disappointing campaign. Injuries, inconsistency, and the absence of key overseas stars have left them ninth on the points table, with just three wins, a record matched only by their opponents.
CSK are 10th by virtue of a lower net run-rate. The Royals’ most recent heartbreak came in a narrow 10-run loss to Punjab Kings, a result emblematic of their season — flashes of brilliance undermined by lapses under pressure.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have been the bright spots, with their 166-run stand against Gujarat Titans earlier this season highlighting their potential.
Jaiswal has been a consistent force, blending aggression with composure. Sooryavanshi, the teen wonder, has shown flashes of brilliance, and the match against CSK offers him another chance to cement his reputation on the big stage.
Get IPL 2025 match schedules, squads, points table, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.Hindol Basu is a Principal Correspondent with the The Times of In...
Read MoreHindol Basu is a Principal Correspondent with the The Times of India. Over the years, as a sports journalist, Hindol has covered important events like the 2012 London Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Hindol has had a diverse profile having worked in all forms of media - TV, Radio, New Media and Print. Besides, being an avid blogger, Hindol plays the guitar, writes poetry and is interested in photography.
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