March 31, 2025: Former Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu expressed his disappointment with some of the mistakes made by his former side during their match against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. The game, which was decided by fine margins, saw the two teams separated by their execution on the field, with Rajasthan making the most of every opportunity that came their way.
One such opportunity came when Rajasthan’s captain, Riyan Parag, pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch at covers to dismiss Shivam Dube, a moment which was later named the turning point of the match by Player of the Match, Nitish Rana. Rayudu echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Parag’s stunning fielding.
“The catch by Riyan Parag, when Shivam Dube was going strong, was a real game-changer. Chennai Super Kings have never been known for their fielding—maybe in their earlier years—but what they’ve done in their first two matches this season has been quite poor,” Rayudu said during a discussion on JioHotStar.
He also highlighted the fielding mistakes, including dropped catches and struggles in the outfield, which proved to be costly for CSK. “Dropping easy chances and struggling in the outfield—these are areas they need to address quickly. Some of their mistakes were quite painful to watch,” Rayudu added.
Rayudu further pointed out that Rajasthan’s fielding standards, which included multiple incredible catches, were a testament to the importance of anticipation and awareness, not just youth, in the field. He stressed that fielding is a crucial part of the game, especially in tight contests where the smallest of margins matter.
“Rajasthan Royals were really up for it, and this shows that fielding is not just about having a young side—it’s about anticipation and awareness,” he said.
While Rajasthan’s fielding stood out as a highlight, CSK’s sloppy performance on the field was a key factor in their six-run defeat.