IPL 2024: Shane Watson makes alarming prediction for Chennai Super Kings after their defeat against Punjab Kings

Former Australia allrounder Shane Watson has made an alarming prediction for his former IPL team Chennai Super Kings as the defending champions eye a playoffs spot in the ongoing IPL 2024.

CSK's playoffs hopes took a big blow on Wednesday (May 1) with a heavy seven wicket-defeat against Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. It was CSK's second defeat at home this season. Asked to bat first, the reigning champions finished their innings on a modest 163/3 in 20 overs with only captain Ruturaj Gaikwad showing some fight with the bat.

Gaikwad scored 62 off 48 balls to help his side post a 160-plus total. No other CSK batter could touch the 30-run mark. For PBKS, Harpreet Brar starred with the ball, taking 2 wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs. With the bat, PBKS chased down the total in just 17.5 overs to keep their playoffs hopes alive.

Shane Watson predicts tough road ahead for CSK:

While CSK are still in the top four of the IPL 2024 points table, they are in a position where they cannot afford any more slip ups. They have five win and as many defeats so far and need to string together a series of victories to make it to the next round.

While only time will tell how thing unfold for the five-time champions, Shane Watson believes it won't be an easy ride for his former team. The Australia great started by pointing out the injury setbacks CSK have suffered in recent times. Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande missed the PBKS game due to a niggle and illness respectively.

During the game, CSK suffered another big blow when Deepak Chahar walked out off the field after bowling just two balls. CSK are also set to lose the services of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the remainder of the tournament as the fast-bowler will return home for the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

"Certainly. That's not an easy run home. The things that compound it are their injury worries and their bowling stocks. That's going to be the biggest challenge that they would have to face CSK. There were moments throughout this tournament where it looked like they had no weakness and no holes," Watson said on JioCinema.

"Then we have seen at certain times that holes have appeared and now, because of the injuries and concerns they have, Mustafizur Rahman has played his last game. There's going to have to be a lot of shuffling around, something that CSK aren't known for.

"They have had so much success in the past with continuity through their playing group. There's going to be a lot of talks around making best of the combinations available, for the run home," added Watson.

CSK will be looking to get back to winning ways and avenge the loss against PBKS when they lock horns against them once again on May 5 in Dharamsala.

Read More:

• IPL 2024 Points Table