CSK pacer Makhaya Ntini feels the last year’s runners-up can still make it to the semi-finals if their batsmen come good.

Chennai Super Kings Ntini feels despite making a slow start in the second season of the Indian Premier League, they have a chance if batsmen play well like they did against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday.

“We definitely have a good chance (of reaching the semi-finals), although we didn’t have a good start. We’ve got three good quick bowlers in L Balaji, Manpreet Gony and Albie Morkel. But I think the key is going to be our batsmen. We need to bat big like we did last time around,” said the 31-year-old South African.

“I do miss playing matches”

He has 654 wickets in his kitty from Tests and one-dayers but that doesn’t guarantee him a starting place in the Chennai Super Kings team and Ntini is now itching to get back into the thick of IPL action before his home crowd.

“I do miss playing matches. I do watch the guys and think that I can still do a job out there. I still have the feeling that I can make it to the playing XI,” the pacer told IPL’s official website.

Ntini is a master of bowling at the death and he feels the key is to mix things up and keep the batsman guessing.

“Well, it’s changed over the years. In the past, you just had to run up and try and bowl six yorkers. But the game has changed now, with the Powerplays only allowing two players outside the circle.