<p>Bengaluru: When it comes to team composition, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings couldn’t be starker. One boasts a star-studded batting line-up capable of fireworks, the other is still searching for a spark. Yet, here they are languishing at the bottom of the IPL points table. The question is: who’s feeling the burn more?</p>.<p>Is it SRH, who seemingly aced their player retention and auction strategy, or CSK, who might be wondering just where it all went wrong?</p>.<p>Their journeys so far have been a mix of frustrating inconsistencies and hard lessons. Take SRH. They kicked off their campaign in explosive fashion, hammering out the second-highest total in IPL history -- 286 against Rajasthan Royals. If anything it felt like more of the same that they unleashed last season. But since then their fortunes have suffered a brutal nosedive. No 200-plus totals in their next four matches. Four straight losses. The batting unit that looked terrifying on paper, bolstered by the addition of Ishan Kishan, has fizzled out without as much of a sign.</p>.<p>Their no-brakes approach -- so effective last season -- now feels like a ticking time bomb. It’s eerily similar to England’s Bazball in Tests: thrilling when it works, chaotic when it doesn’t. The problem with such one-track tactics is clear -- you live and die by the sword. And if Plan A fails, there’s no Plan B, or worse, no idea how to execute even if there is one.</p>.IPL 2025 | Axar doesn't come across as being the only voice in team, says DC assistant coach Mott, pats skipper.<p>SRH skipper Pat Cummins alluded to as much after their loss to Kolkata Knight Riders.</p>.<p>"You have to be realistic - three games in a row, it has not come off for us," the Aussie pacer rued. "Less than two weeks ago, we put on 280 (286). Our batters are at our best taking it on, but you have to think about if you could take different options."</p>.<p>Sure, SRH could still rediscover their groove and blitz their way back into contention. But unless they build a safety net, they are more likely to struggle like they did in the last season's final, where they were dismissed for 113 while batting first, against KKR last season.</p>.<p>CSK, on the other hand, are facing an entirely different crisis: a power outage with the bat. Their highest opening stand before Wednesday’s game against Punjab Kings was a paltry 14. Their middle order is lacking punch. So predictable is their batting at the moment that opponents feel anything above 180 is enough to seal the win.</p>.<p>Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s shift to No. 3 hasn’t yielded much, Rachin Ravindra has the intent but not the desired impact, and Shivam Dube’s enforcer persona hasn’t translated into consistent performances. Ravindra Jadeja is visibly struggling against spin, and MS Dhoni, though still dangerous, is clearly limited by his reduced mobility, making it hard for CSK to maximise his signature finishing carnage.</p>.<p>“Well, positive-wise, we batted a bit better," CSK coach Stephen Fleming said after their loss to Punjab Kings. "We got some substance from the top order, which has been lacking so we were able to then construct the chase.</p>.<p>“We just weren't able to keep the run rate at a good level through the middle, and it just left too much towards the end. But we've been out of games, so to be in a game for a lot longer is a positive aspect."</p>.<p>Both teams are in trouble, but for completely different reasons. One has too much fire but no control while the other is searching for a matchstick.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: When it comes to team composition, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings couldn’t be starker. One boasts a star-studded batting line-up capable of fireworks, the other is still searching for a spark. Yet, here they are languishing at the bottom of the IPL points table. The question is: who’s feeling the burn more?</p>.<p>Is it SRH, who seemingly aced their player retention and auction strategy, or CSK, who might be wondering just where it all went wrong?</p>.<p>Their journeys so far have been a mix of frustrating inconsistencies and hard lessons. Take SRH. They kicked off their campaign in explosive fashion, hammering out the second-highest total in IPL history -- 286 against Rajasthan Royals. If anything it felt like more of the same that they unleashed last season. But since then their fortunes have suffered a brutal nosedive. No 200-plus totals in their next four matches. Four straight losses. The batting unit that looked terrifying on paper, bolstered by the addition of Ishan Kishan, has fizzled out without as much of a sign.</p>.<p>Their no-brakes approach -- so effective last season -- now feels like a ticking time bomb. It’s eerily similar to England’s Bazball in Tests: thrilling when it works, chaotic when it doesn’t. The problem with such one-track tactics is clear -- you live and die by the sword. And if Plan A fails, there’s no Plan B, or worse, no idea how to execute even if there is one.</p>.IPL 2025 | Axar doesn't come across as being the only voice in team, says DC assistant coach Mott, pats skipper.<p>SRH skipper Pat Cummins alluded to as much after their loss to Kolkata Knight Riders.</p>.<p>"You have to be realistic - three games in a row, it has not come off for us," the Aussie pacer rued. "Less than two weeks ago, we put on 280 (286). Our batters are at our best taking it on, but you have to think about if you could take different options."</p>.<p>Sure, SRH could still rediscover their groove and blitz their way back into contention. But unless they build a safety net, they are more likely to struggle like they did in the last season's final, where they were dismissed for 113 while batting first, against KKR last season.</p>.<p>CSK, on the other hand, are facing an entirely different crisis: a power outage with the bat. Their highest opening stand before Wednesday’s game against Punjab Kings was a paltry 14. Their middle order is lacking punch. So predictable is their batting at the moment that opponents feel anything above 180 is enough to seal the win.</p>.<p>Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s shift to No. 3 hasn’t yielded much, Rachin Ravindra has the intent but not the desired impact, and Shivam Dube’s enforcer persona hasn’t translated into consistent performances. Ravindra Jadeja is visibly struggling against spin, and MS Dhoni, though still dangerous, is clearly limited by his reduced mobility, making it hard for CSK to maximise his signature finishing carnage.</p>.<p>“Well, positive-wise, we batted a bit better," CSK coach Stephen Fleming said after their loss to Punjab Kings. "We got some substance from the top order, which has been lacking so we were able to then construct the chase.</p>.<p>“We just weren't able to keep the run rate at a good level through the middle, and it just left too much towards the end. But we've been out of games, so to be in a game for a lot longer is a positive aspect."</p>.<p>Both teams are in trouble, but for completely different reasons. One has too much fire but no control while the other is searching for a matchstick.</p>