Difficult with such total: Ruturaj Gaikwad after loss against LSG

After suffering an 8-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad reflected on the challenges of defending a total of 177 runs at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Speaking during the post-match presentation, Gaikwad acknowledged the difficulties his team faced due to periodic losses of wickets and the match conditions.

“We finished well with the bat, couldn’t have asked more with the situation we were in. After the powerplay, we couldn’t capitalise on the start we got and we kept losing wickets at regular intervals. I would say we were 10-15 runs short. Slightly difficult with such a total, with the impact sub rule, you need 10-15 or even 20 runs extra,” said Gaikwad.

He noted the change in pitch conditions as the evening progressed, suggesting that a slightly higher score might have been competitive. “Pitches like these seem sluggish to start off with but with dew coming on, it gets better, 190 would have been a good score. One area we would like to improve is taking wickets in the powerplay. That will put pressure on the opposition. We need to work on it. It was good to play them again (next game at Chepauk). We will come up with good homework done now that we have three home games,” he added.

Gaikwad’s comments highlight the tactical nuances of managing game conditions and the ongoing need to adapt strategies, particularly in crucial phases like the powerplay. As CSK looks forward to their upcoming fixtures, particularly at their home ground in Chepauk, the skipper’s focus on improvement reflects a proactive approach to reversing their fortunes.