Cricket-Chennai Fix PowerPlay problems to stop IPL free fall

New Delhi, April 15 (Reuters) – It needed some inspired staff changes, but Chennai Super Kings finally managed to end the PowerPlay overs with BAT and Ball and end their loss of five matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The five-time champions, who beat Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets on Monday, are rooted at the bottom of the 10-team league, but will hope that their second win in seven games is the start of something. The decision to drop opener Devon Conway and veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and bringing Shaik Rasheed and the seam bowling of the bowling Jamie Overton paid immediate dividends. Chennai Limited Lucknow in the PowerPlay to 42-2 and scored themselves 59-1 in their first six overs of that important game when he bats, and the opposition has only two field workers in depth. “We made some changes because we wanted to make sure our first six overs are slightly better,” said Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was placed in charge of the group after an elbow injury Ruturaj Gaikwad’s season ended. “I feel it looks like a better attack, there’s more mobility for the captain.” Chennai, who chased 167, combined a strong start with Rachin Ravindra, 37, and Rasheed, 27, in an opening stand of 52. Dhoni praised the 20-year-old Rasheed, who has been part of the Chennai setup since 2023, but had to wait for his IPL debut. “He has been with us for several years. Even last year we improved, but this year he bats very well in the nets,” Dhoni said. “He has the ability to dominate, but with authentic shots. What is important is for him to continue to play the shots in his armor and not try to hit some of the other openers. ‘ Former Indian captain Dhoni, who delivered an unbeaten 26 in the tense Chase, has won his first IPL player of the match award since 2019 (reported by Amlan Chakraborty in New -Delhi; Edit by Peter Rutherford) first published: 15 April 2025, 11:16 am