MS Dhoni says remaining Chennai Super Kings matches will be used as 'preparation' for 2021

This comes as Chennai were handed their first ten-wicket defeat in the IPL on Friday by Mumbai Indians

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Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni says that their next three matches will be used as "preperation for next year."

This comes as Chennai were handed their first ten-wicket defeat in the IPL on Friday by Mumbai Indians. Dhoni's side were 30-6 before limping to 114-9; the Indians chased their target down within 13 overs.

Speaking to the host broadcaster, Star Sports, Dhoni said: "Well, it does hurt and what you need to see is what are the things that are going wrong.

"And especially this year hasn't really been our year and everything apart from one or two games where we have batted and bowled well together and fielded well together…So, at the end of the day, whether you lose by eight wickets or ten wickets it hardly matters.

"Where we are in the state of the tournament, it will definitely hurt and I think all the players are hurting and they're trying their best. It doesn't always go your way, but hopefully in the next three games, we will try to maybe put our last stand."

The Super Kings haven't won a game since the reverse fixture in the opening round of matches. They have been blighted my injuries which hasn't helped; middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu missed two matches, while Dwayne Bravo has been ruled out for the rest of the weekend due to a groin injury.

_{Dwayne Bravo will miss the rest of IPL 2020}

"Again, what you need to see is where you again went wrong," Dhoni said. "I felt the second game [against the Rajasthan Royals] was more about the bowling; batting wasn't turning up, and Rayudu got injured.

"Some of the other players got a chance and maybe they were not there 200% or maybe they were not able to perform. It just kept on putting pressure on the batting order and whenever we never got off to a good start, it became more and more difficult for the middle order.

"In cricket, when you're going through a tough phase, there are a few things that need to go your way - a bit of luck is always good and I felt in this tournament it hasn't really gone our way. The games where we wanted to bat first ,we haven't really won the toss and in games batting second, the wicket has slowed down or there may be dew.

"All of [a] sudden, then we decide to bat first and there's a lot of dew on the field. If things have not gone your way, those are the things that you study and see what you can provide the players for them to perform."

Chennai can still qualify for the play-offs. Dhoni realises that it is unrealistic that they will qualify, so instead the focus will shift to 2021.

"It is important for us have a clear picture about next year," he said. "There are a lot of ifs and buts: the kind of auction we are looking into next year, where the venues will be. It is always good to give guys who have not so far got enough chances to form a settled playing XI. You give them enough chances to really give them a platform where they can perform and show their talent."

New Zealand's Mitchell Santner and local bowlers KM Asif and R Sai Kishore haven't played this season but could feature in the last three matches.

"We have to make the most of it because you don't really want to be in a situation like that, but once you are what's the most that you can get? And it is preparation for the next year."