Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed his disappointment after his team’s defeat against Punjab Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024. Gaikwad felt that CSK was “50-60 runs short” during the match and highlighted that the pitch was not great when they batted, but it improved in the second half.
Punjab Kings put up an all-rounded performance to secure a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over CSK at Chepauk on Wednesday. This defeat marked the second time CSK’s fortress was breached in the ongoing season, with the bowlers struggling to find their rhythm due to dew hindering them throughout the night.
Gaikwad admitted that the impact rule and challenging pitch conditions contributed to their below-par total. He also mentioned the pressure he feels during tosses and the team’s struggle with injuries, particularly losing Deepak Chahar in the very first over.
Despite Gaikwad’s valiant effort with the bat, scoring 62 off 48 deliveries, PBKS comfortably chased down 163 runs with Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw leading the charge. Sam Curran’s decision to put CSK to bat proved to be the correct one as the dew factor played a significant role in the match.
The defeat has put CSK in a challenging position, but Gaikwad remains optimistic about the team’s chances in the remaining games. With four matches left in the season, CSK will be looking to bounce back and return to winning ways.