IPL 2022: "I Can't See CSK In The Top Four This Year" - Brad Hogg

Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has made a huge prediction about the fortunes of the defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after they lost all of their four matches at the start of the IPL 2022.

The defending champions have had their worst start in tournament history, losing their first four games quite convincingly. They have struggled in all three departments and might need to win all of their remaining fixtures to reach the playoffs.

The decline began after their mercurial captain MS Dhoni quit from the post two days before CSK was to face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opening match of the IPL 2022. Ravindra Jadeja got the leadership position, but that has seemingly come under pressure and his performance with the ball and bat has gone down.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Hogg believes CSK must go to the drawing board and look for options to bolster their squad.

He said: “I can’t see CSK in the top four this year. I think when they go to the auction next year, they’re going to have to re-establish themselves, reset and look at different options in the bowling and batting department. But don’t write them off just yet. We all know CSK always find the recipe to turn things around.”

After the 8-wicket loss to SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday, even CSK head coach Stephen Fleming revealed that the squad’s self-belief has been shaken.

They’re Going To Have To Find Ways To Turn Things Around: Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg cited that CSK needs to get the leadership group of the franchise to come together and lift the morale of the new CSK squad. He recalled Fleming’s words about the absence of impetus in their campaign and thinks the management group has to take accountability for reviving it.

He added: “Also, I heard Fleming the other day in an interview, he said because they are losing a few games, they have been out of momentum, and there’s been a few niggles within the playing group. With the leadership group of Fleming, Hussey, Dhoni, and Jadeja, they’re going to have to find ways to turn that around and get that gel in this new CSK squad.”

CSK will next face Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 12 in the DY Patil Sports Academy Stadium.

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