India, April 24 -- The Indian Premier League is picking up pace as the race for qualification tightens, with the mid-table reshuffling after almost every game. While a few sides have settled on a balanced XI, others are still searching for the right mix, with gaps becoming more evident amid mid-season injuries to key players.

Chennai Super Kings, one of the most successful franchises in the league, endured a shaky start under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, losing three matches in a row. The issues were most visible in the batting unit, which struggled to back up the bowlers. Gaikwad, too, has not led from the front with the bat, yet to register a score above 30 even as the season nears its halfway mark.

Matters worsened when 18-year-old Ayush...