CSK playoffs qualification scenario: Can MS Dhoni take Chennai Super Kings to last-four in IPL 2022?

Source: Twitter

Chennai Super Kings stormed back to winning ways in IPL 2022 with a dominant win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

MS Dhoni returned to captaining CSK in style with a win after Jadeja relinquished captaincy on April 30. 

Opting to bowl first, Kane Williamson was hoping to restrict CSK to a small total. 

That's that from Match 46 of #TATAIPL.@ChennaiIPL win by 13 runs against #SRH.

Scorecard - https://t.co/8IteJVPMqJ #SRHvCSK #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/TuCa1F2mKs — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 1, 2022

But Ruturaj Gaikwad came good even against the top-class bowling line up of Sunrisers. Even Umran Malik was not spared as Gaikwad smashed him for 3 sixes and 1 four in span of 2 overs. 

He was playing beautifully but could not reach the three-figure mark, getting out on 99. 

However, he had done enough by then to take CSK to 202/6 at the end of 20 overs. 

Devon Conway's fifty must get a mention as well. The left-handed batter played an unbeaten knock of 85 runs off 55 balls and this innings included some lovely boundaries, 8 fours and 4 sixes to be precise. 

Chasing the target, SRH never got going from the start and despite a fighting fifty from Nicholas Pooran, fell short by 13 runs. 

Can CSK make it to playoffs after beating SRH

Yes, CSK can still qualify for playoffs. They have 3 wins from 9 games in IPL 2022. They need to win remaining 5 matches to stay afloat in the tournament. If they win 5 on the trot, they will jump to 16 points from 8 wins in total.

And that will put them ahead in the race of qualifications. What they need to ensure is that they win remaining 5 games with good margins if it is possible so to improve on the negative NRR that they have currently, which is -407.

If more than one team has 16 points and there is only one slot, then NRR will play a big role in decising who makes the cut.