Chennai Super Kings have been left with very little margin for error after their defeat to Lucknow Super Giants, and batting coach Michael Hussey believes the remaining stretch of the IPL season now has to be approached like a sequence of “must-win” matches. With the five-time champions sliding into a virtual knock-out scenario, CSK will need victories in both of their final league games, while also keeping an eye on other results going their way.
Key takeaways
- Michael Hussey said CSK must treat each of their remaining matches as a final after the loss to Lucknow Super Giants.
- LSG successfully chased 188, helped by Mitchell Marsh’s explosive 90 off 38 balls.
- CSK ended up on 12 points from 13 games, leaving them reliant on winning both of their last league fixtures.
- Hussey suggested early breakthroughs were crucial, but CSK couldn’t disrupt the opening stand between Marsh and Josh Inglis.
- Despite the setback, Hussey insisted the team still believes it can reach the playoffs and expects an intense end to the league stage.
CSK’s “final” mindset after Lucknow defeat
Hussey’s message was direct: after the loss, CSK can no longer afford to think in terms of anything other than do-or-die cricket. He noted that at this stage of the tournament, every game carries maximum pressure—not only for CSK but for multiple sides still chasing top-four qualification. CSK’s playoff chances are now tied to winning their last two matches, alongside favourable outcomes elsewhere in the standings.
He added that the points table still offers possibilities even for teams sitting below CSK, emphasising that the situation remains fluid enough for a theoretical route into the final stages. Hussey framed the league phase as something that is building towards a dramatic climax, with only a couple of teams already confirmed as out of contention—while others still have a mathematical shot.
How the chase was set up: Marsh, Inglis and the opening stand
Hussey also addressed the on-field story from Friday’s match. He felt CSK’s batters had done well to reach 187 on a surface that offered pace and bounce, making it a challenging chase-target. However, he admitted that Lucknow were able to turn the contest one-sided largely because CSK failed to break the early partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis.
According to Hussey, Marsh’s experience of batting on quicker, bouncier Australian tracks played a role in how smoothly he adapted to the conditions in the match. He argued that once Marsh and Inglis settled, they were able to impose themselves and make it difficult for CSK’s bowling unit to regain control.
Hussey explained that CSK’s plan was to secure early wickets and then apply pressure through the middle overs. But the inability to separate the opening duo until it was “probably a little bit too late” meant the momentum shifted decisively in Lucknow’s favour.
He summed up the theme of the match by pointing out that when players of Marsh’s calibre are confident—particularly on faster, bouncier pitches—they can become extremely hard to stop. With that confidence built early and carried through the chase, Lucknow ultimately cruised to the required total, leaving CSK to regroup quickly and focus on must-win cricket in their closing league games.
