Everyone is going at a rate of knots - CSK still in the noughts

Chennai Super Kings are in BIG trouble. After 2 matches in IPL 2026, their bowling has conceded 338 runs in just 30.5 overs and taken only 7 wickets. That’s like giving 11 runs per over. Coach Stephen Fleming is WORRIED. Let me tell you everything.

CSK's Bowling Numbers - SCARY.

Stat	Number
Runs conceded	338
Overs bowled	30.5
Wickets taken	7
Average runs per over	11.0
Matches	2 (both LOST)

CSK lost to Rajasthan Royals by 8 wickets (chased 128) and to Punjab Kings (chased 210 with 8 balls left). The bowling is just NOT working.

What Fleming Said About The Auction

After PBKS chased 210 against CSK, Fleming was asked – “Why didn’t you buy better bowlers?”

Fleming said: “Trust me, we went over everything. There was a large list of bowlers that we looked at and missed out on that might have been out of form at the time but are in form now.”

CSK tried to buy:

Ben Dwarshuis – didn’t get

Jason Holder – didn’t get

Lungi Ngidi – had option, didn’t buy (and now Ngidi is taking wickets for DC.)

Gerald Coetzee – plays for Joburg Super Kings and Texas Super Kings, but not CSK.

CSK replaced injured Nathan Ellis with Spencer Johnson, but Johnson hasn’t joined the team yet.

Fleming admitted: “I can’t remember the dynamics. But trust me, we went over everything.”

🚨 FLEMING BACKS CSK TO CONTINUE THE AGGRESSIVE GAME 🚨

Fleming 🗣️ -

“Look, I don't think there is a thing called finishers anymore. It's right from ball one, everyone is going at a rate of knots. It's not build up to the 16th over and then go harder.

So, the run rates of 10,… pic.twitter.com/4oIzbxoDbr
— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7) April 4, 2026

What CSK Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad Said

Ruturaj Gaikwad thought CSK could WIN when they took 2 quick wickets in the 13th over. But then PBKS hit a SIX and a boundary.

“Just when the over was going really well, we conceded six or a boundary. The pressure didn’t really build.”

He said CSK needed “a couple of good overs” to make the required rate go from 11 to 12 or 13. But they couldn’t.

CSK’s spin attack failed:

Bowler Figures

Noor Ahmad 4-0-38-0

Rahul Chahar 4-0-46-0

Yuzvendra Chahal (vs PBKS) 3-0-21-1 (but he was playing for PBKS.)

Gaikwad said: “Spin was the way to go, but both spinners had difficult nights. That’s what cost us.”

Fleming’s BIG Statement – ‘No Such Thing as Finishers Anymore.’

Fleming has been CSK coach for 16 years (since 2009.). He has seen T20 cricket CHANGE completely.

He said: “I don’t think there is a thing called finishers anymore. It’s right from ball one, everyone is going at a rate of knots. It’s not built up to the 16th over and then goes harder.”

POS	TEAM	P	W	L	PTS
1	PBKS	2	2	0	4
2	RR	1	1	0	2
3	RCB	1	1	0	2
4	DC	1	1	0	2
5	MI	1	1	0	2
6	SRH	2	1	1	2
7	GT	1	0	1	0
8	LSG	1	0	1	0
9	KKR	2	0	2	0
10	CSK	2	0	2	0

What does that mean?

In OLD T20 cricket:

Powerplay: 8-9 runs per over

Middle overs: 8-9 runs per over

Death overs (16-20): 12+ runs per over

In NEW T20 cricket:

EVERY OVER: 10-12 runs per over.

Batters attack from BALL 1.

Teams target 240 runs, not 180.

Fleming said: “The run rates of 10, 11, 12 all the way through are what’s expected. You’re not really getting the big peaks towards the end. It’s just a more aggressive approach to get 240.”

CSK’s Missing Players – Brevis & Dhoni.

Fleming reminded everyone: CSK is missing TWO big players.

Dewald Brevis – South African young star. He is on the sideline (maybe injured or not selected). Fleming said: “Keep in mind, we’ve got Brevis on the sideline.”

MS Dhoni – Injured with a calf strain and is out for 2 weeks. Fleming said: “We’ve got one of the best finishers in MS who’s injured.”

When Dhoni and Brevis come back, CSK’s batting will get STRONGER.

The Impact Player Rule – Good or Bad?

The Impact Player rule started in IPL 2023. CSK WON that year. But since then:

Sangakkara said about Sanju:

“Sanju has been a fantastic leader for us. We will always be grateful for what he has done. But now it’s time for a new chapter. Riyan is ready to take over.”

Parag’s First Match as Captain

Rajasthan Royals play their first match on March 30 vs Chennai Super Kings at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati.

FUN FACT: Sanju Samson (former RR captain) will be playing AGAINST RR for CSK. And Ravindra Jadeja (traded from CSK to RR) will be playing FOR RR against his old team. So much DRAMA.

Year	CSK Position
2023	CHAMPIONS
2024	Missed playoffs
2025	Finished LAST
2026	Lost first 2 matches

Fleming said: “Other tournaments around the world, it’s not as frantic as this. I’m not sure how much longer the rule is here for. It sways a little bit towards batting power.”

The rule allows teams to bring an extra batter or bowler. Teams now have DEEPER batting lineups. Bowlers are UNDER MORE PRESSURE.

The Challenge of Building a T20 Team

Fleming said something VERY interesting:

“One of the greatest challenges in T20 franchise cricket is securing talent. Through competitions, it’s becoming difficult as teams bundle players.”

What does "bundle players" mean?

Big franchises (like MI, CSK, RCB) now have teams in OTHER leagues too (ILT20, SA20, MLC, etc.). They “bundle” players – sign them for ALL teams. That makes it hard for other teams to buy them.

Fleming is worried about the FUTURE:

Will the Impact Player rule stay?

Will all-rounders come back?

Will batting become even MORE aggressive?

He said: “I’m constantly with others looking at that and trying to stay as relevant as possible.”

🚨 BIG STATEMENT BY STEPHEN FLEMING ON FINISHER JOB IN IPL 🚨

Stephen Fleming said 🗣️

“Look, I don’t think there is a thing called finishers anymore. It’s right from ball one, everyone is going at a rate of knocks. It’s not ‘build up to the 16th over and then go harder’.… pic.twitter.com/f0jxcKXQeO
— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) April 4, 2026

🚨 FLEMING BACKS CSK TO CONTINUE THE AGGRESSIVE GAME 🚨

Fleming 🗣️ -

“Look, I don't think there is a thing called finishers anymore. It's right from ball one, everyone is going at a rate of knots. It's not build up to the 16th over and then go harder.

So, the run rates of 10,… pic.twitter.com/4oIzbxoDbr
— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7) April 4, 2026

What Experts Are Saying?

Bowling is LEAKING runs.

Noor Ahmad: 0 wickets in 2 matches

Rahul Chahar: 0 wickets, economy 11.5

Khaleel Ahmed: 1 wicket in 2 matches

Spinners not taking wickets.

CSK’s spinners have taken 1 wicket in 2 matches. That’s NOT enough.

Need Dhoni BACK.

His captaincy, wicketkeeping, and finishing are MISSING.

I need Brevis to PLAY.

He is young and aggressive – perfect for “ball 1 hitting” approach.

As the tournament progresses, teams will be looking to build momentum and strengthen their chances of lifting the trophy. In fact, if you’re wondering which side has the best shot at going all the way this season, check out our detailed analysis on why Royal Challengers Bengaluru could successfully defend their IPL title. It gives deeper insights into their squad strength, key players, and winning strategy for IPL 2026.

Why Royal Challengers Bengaluru can defend their IPL title?