The Chennai Super Kings have had their worst IPL season in history this year, as for the first time, they will miss the playoffs despite being a part of the competition. The 3-time IPL winners had been the most franchise in IPL history, but in IPL 2020, they looked off-color in almost all matches.
MS Dhoni was playing his first season after retirement from international cricket, and the fans expected him to perform well, but he has not fired yet in IPL 2020. This is only the second time in IPL history that Dhoni will not play in the playoffs. The first time it happened was in 2016, when he was a part of the Rising Pune Supergiant.
There have been coincidences between CSK’s current season and RPS’ debut season. Here are five of them.
1.Both teams could not reach the playoffs
As mentioned ahead, MS Dhoni has featured in the IPL playoffs eleven times, but his team could not make it to the Top 4 in 2016 and 2020. While Pune managed to avoid the wooden spoon in 2016, it will be interesting to see if CSK can finish above the eighth position.
It is noteworthy that although CSK have won only three games in IPL 2020, they still have a mathematical chance of making into the playoffs. However, it seems very unlikely right now.
2.Both beat the defending champions Mumbai Indians in the first match
The fans might remember that the Rising Pune Supergiant had played their first match against the defending champions Mumbai Indians in IPL 2016. Mumbai Indians batted first and lost the match by nine wickets.
Something very similar happened in the first match of IPL 2020. Chennai Super Kings faced the defending champions Mumbai Indians and defeated them by five wickets in Abu Dhabi.
3.Both times MS Dhoni captained an IPL team without Suresh Raina
MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina have been very close friends off the field. They played eight seasons together for CSK, but in 2016, Dhoni became RPS’ captain, while Raina captained GL.
In 2017, Steve Smith became the new skipper of Pune. Thus, 2016 and 2020 are the only seasons when Dhoni has led an IPL team without Raina.
4.Both teams lost eight out of their first 11 matches
Currently, the Chennai Super Kings are at the last position on the points table with three wins in eleven matches. They have lost eight games in IPL 2020 so far.
Even the Rising Pune Supergiant had lost eight of their first 11 games. They lastly won two matches on a trot to end the season with ten points in 14 matches. It will be interesting if CSK can end their campaign that way.
5.Both teams had three wicket-keepers in their squads
It is rarely seen that MS Dhoni has two more wicket-keeping options other than himself in the squad. However, in the 2016 IPL season, RPS had Ankush Bains and Peter Handscomb as their wicket-keepers.
In IPL 2020, uncapped player Narayan Jagadeesan can keep the wickets for CSK if needed, while even Ambati Rayudu can do that job. Thankfully, MS Dhoni has said that he will play all games. Thus, CSK will not need a back-up keeper’s services.
