Chennai Super Kings made a tactical call late in their innings as Ayush Mhatre retired out on 59 in the 18th over, with the side looking to regain momentum after a slowdown.
CSK opt for tactical call after middle-overs slowdown
Mhatre had given CSK a strong start, scoring 59 off 36 balls with three fours and four sixes. He looked set to push on, but the scoring rate dipped in the last few overs as boundaries dried up.
With the innings entering the death phase, CSK chose to bring in a fresh batter. Mhatre walked off at 17.3 overs, a move that surprised many but was clearly planned. His team-mates acknowledged the effort as he left the field.
The decision came at a time when CSK needed quick runs. Despite a solid platform, the lack of acceleration forced a rethink from the dugout.
Dube brought in to boost scoring at the death
Shivam Dube was sent in immediately after Mhatre’s exit, with the intent of attacking from the first ball. The idea was simple maximise the final overs with a batter known for power hitting.
T Natarajan had just delivered another tight spell, making it harder for set batters to find the boundary. CSK’s move reflected the pressure to finish strongly rather than carry a set batter who was struggling to find gaps.
Retiring out is still rare in the IPL, but it is increasingly being used as a tactical option. In this case, CSK prioritised a late surge over individual milestones, underlining the shift in approach during the final overs.