IPL 2023: CSK forced to share points with LSG, will it come to haunt the MS Dhoni-led side?

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IPL 2023: The match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was called off after 19.2 overs due to heavy rain in Lucknow on Wednesday. As a result the two teams were forced to share a point each.

LSG were seven down for 125 in 19.2 overs when it started pouring at the Ekana Stadium. Chennai opted to bowl first and were on top of Lucknow who were reduced to 44/5 in 9.4 overs.

However, a gusty fifty from Ayush Badoni propelled the home side to 125 with four balls remaining in the innings. The 23-year-old smashed two fours and four sixes in his blazing knock and could have sent a few more deliveries flying over the boundary rope, if not for rain.

However, CSK could be unluckier than Badoni. The CSK top-order consisting of Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube are in top form and the four-time champions could have been the favourites to gun down the total.

Bowling-friendly surfaces in Lucknow have called for a lot of application from the batters. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli showed the same in the previous match at the venue. The likes of Rahane and Gaikwad are batters who rely heavily on technique and traditional cricketing shots.

The duo along with very experienced Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja and captain MS Dhoni himself would have most probably registered a win despite the presence of quality spinners Amit Mishra, Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya in the LSG bowling line-up.

Will two shared points come to haunt CSK?

The competition between the ten teams in IPL is tougher than ever and the never-ending last over finishes are proof. Even a single single point and the minutest of the difference between the Net Run Rate (NRR) can see a very deserving team lose on a play-offs berth.

With 11 points each, LSG and CSK are occupying the second and third spots respectively currently after match 45 of IPL 2023. LSG have a better NRR than CSK as of now. Gujarat Titans (GT) are the table-toppers with 12 points in nine matches.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) also have played a match less than LSG and CSK. They have 10 points to their name. Same is the case with Punjab Kings (PBKS) who are placed fifth due to an inferior NRR than RR.

MI have eight points from eight matches and they are very well in contention for the top-four finish and a play-offs berth. Going by the aforementioned scenario, the shared points on Wednesday can very well haunt CSK as well as LSG in the coming days.