‘I would say 50-60 runs short’ – Ruturaj Gaikwad analyses Chennai Super Kings’ loss to Punjab Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Chennai Super Kings faced their fifth loss of the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024. The loss came against Punjab Kings as both sides locked horns at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the 49th game of the tournament on Wednesday, May 1. 

After posting a total of 162 runs in the first innings, Chennai Super Kings failed to defend the target as Punjab Kings won the game by seven wickets. After the game, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad came forward to analyse the loss against Punjab Kings.

The 27-year-old pointed to dew as the chief reason for the loss against Punjab Kings. He opined that the five-time champions were 50–60 runs short, even blaming the pitch for the subpar total that CSK posted on the board in the first innings. 

“Probably I would say 50-60 runs short, because of the pitch; we were batting first, the pitch wasn’t that great. It got better, dew, plus the Impact Player [rule didn’t help] as well,” Gaikwad said in the post-match presentation ceremony. 

“Even the last game which we won by 60 [78 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk] runs even we were quite surprised. We didn’t expect to win by that much margin given the conditions,” he added.

It’s a real problem: Gaikwad

It was quite an unlucky day for Chennai Super Kings; the side’s arsenal was already depleted before the clash as Tushar Deshpande (unwell) and Matheesha Pathirana (niggle) were unavailable. Furthermore, Deepak Chahar injured himself in his very first over of the game as well. 

Chennai used Sameer Rizvi as the impact player, as the injuries left Ruturaj Gaikwad without strike bowlers and allowed Punjab’s batters to take advantage. 

“It’s a real problem, there are phases where you want to really get a wicket and suddenly you have only two bowlers who can get a wicket. Plus, our spinners are really out of the game given the dew. So, definitely a tough day but things like this happen and still four games to go. I really hope that we will turn it around,” Gaikwad said.