CSK Struggles Continue with Bowling Issues in IPL 2026
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are facing criticism for their death bowling after losing their third straight match in IPL 2026. On Sunday, April 5, they suffered a 43-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, highlighting ongoing challenges in the tournament.
A significant problem for CSK has been their performance in the final overs. They allowed RCB to score 78 runs during this critical phase. Jamie Overton faced a tough time, conceding 30 runs in one over as Tim David aggressively targeted him. Although Overton tried bowling around the wicket, David managed to find gaps and hit boundaries consistently.
Former Indian cricketer and previous CSK player, Ambati Rayudu, voiced his concerns about the team’s bowling tactics in the death overs. He pointed out that while the team has practiced different angles, MS Dhoni has not approved them for actual matches. Rayudu believes that batters have no trouble countering these deliveries, suggesting that CSK should rely more on traditional bowling methods, such as effective yorkers and well-placed slower balls.
“They’ve practiced different strategies, but they haven’t worked in games because MS didn’t endorse those angles during critical overs. From a batting perspective, it’s easy to handle those deliveries if you adjust your stance just a little,” Rayudu explained.
CSK’s Bowling Woes Persist
The absence of Nathan Ellis, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, has further strained CSK’s bowling. Spencer Johnson, who was brought in as a replacement, has not yet joined the squad, leaving Overton to fill a challenging role. He is not used to bowling around the wicket, even having bowled less than two overs that way throughout his career.
This season, franchises like the Joburg Super Kings and Texas Super Kings have incorporated the around-the-wicket strategy, often relying on specific players to execute it effectively.
In their opening three matches, CSK’s bowling has raised alarms, with an economy rate of 11.57. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has noted that the biggest hurdle for the team moving forward is their bowling, especially as batters are often pressured to score around 225-230 runs.
After the loss to RCB, CSK finds themselves at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of -2.517. The Super Kings will aim to turn things around when they face the Delhi Capitals on Saturday, April 11, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
