IPL 2025: Virender Sehwag questions CSK’s chasing strategy after six-run defeat to RR

Former Indian captain Virender Sehwag criticized CSK’s batting approach.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have looked like a shadow of their former dominant self in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

After securing a four-wicket win against Mumbai Indians (MI), the franchise failed to chase down targets in back-to-back games against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Their six-run defeat to RR on Sunday, March 30, has particularly raised questions about their run-chase strategy, as the five-time champions left 39 runs to be scored in the last two overs with Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni at the crease.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has now joined the discussion and has criticized CSK for leaving too many runs to chase in the last two overs.

Virender Sehwag questions CSK’s chasing strategy after six-run defeat to RR

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag pointed out that leaving 39 runs for the last two overs was a flawed strategy for CSK in the run chase. He emphasized that miracles like that happen only once in a while.

Sehwag said, “Scoring 40 many runs in 2 overs is a difficult task. No matter how big of a player is in the middle, it is a difficult job. You win on one or two occasions and that is about it.“

“Dhoni pulled off a heist when he hit 24 or 25 runs off the bowling of Axar Patel and on one instance, he smashed Irfan Pathan for 19 or 20 runs in Dharamsala.“

The veteran Indian batsman also highlighted CSK’s poor record in run-chases, noting that the franchise has not successfully chased a target of 180 or more in over five years.

He added, “You can just remember one or two matches on top of your mind. No recent matches come to your memory. For five years, CSK have been unable to chase totals of more than 180.“

CSK will now return to Chennai to face Delhi Capitals (DC) in their next match of the tournament, scheduled for April 5 in the afternoon.

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