CSK failed to defend the competitive total of 187 runs against LSG.
Sent in to bat, CSK faced early trouble against LSG's hard-length bowling. They were rescued by a resilient 42-ball 71 from Kartik Sharma and 16-ball 32* by Shivam Dube, propelling the team to 187/5 in 20 overs.
LSG made quick work of the chase, anchored by a blistering 90 off 38 balls from Mitchell Marsh, who shared a massive 135-run opening stand with Josh Inglis (36 off 32). Nicholas Pooran slammed a quickfire unbeaten 32 to seal the deal with 20 deliveries to spare.
Speaking after the game, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad noted that the surface offered some assistance to fast bowlers, which made it tricky and tough to score off a hard length.
He mentioned that setting 180+ target was a decent effort from his team, but credited LSG batters for playing exceptional shots in the chase.
Gaikwad explained that CSK's plan was to bowl hard lengths based on the opposition's strengths, but admitted they failed to execute it properly.
“I felt there was a bit of something for the fast bowlers. You know, when we batted, we found it difficult to hit it off the hard lengths probably, their bowlers executed it really well. But I think we were looking at 160 or 170 and we ended up getting 180. So I thought, probably nothing much better we could have done from a batting point of view, but I think credit to them. They batted really well and never know if the pitch got better or not, but I think they played some extraordinary shots,” Gaikwad said at the post-match presentation.
“(Talking about bowling short balls) We were looking but you know, Josh Inglis, he played differently last game. So we had to come up with a plan and definitely Mitch Marsh is someone who plays the short ball really well. So I think we were just looking to hit that hard length, proper test match length. We felt that there was something, ball was nibbling around well, but I think he hit some really good shots. We missed on execution on a few areas or a few balls as well, but I think they played some extraordinary shots. But I think looking back, after the opening batters fell, we felt that the coming batters found it really difficult to start with as well. So I think, yes, there was something a bit still in the hard length, both their openers batted brilliantly once again,” he elaborated.
Gaikwad acknowledged that LSG outplayed them, though he praised young batter Kartik for his impressive knock. While he felt CSK's middle order finally clicked, their bowling had a rare off-day, especially when dealing with LSG's aggressive batting in the closing overs.
“Well, sometimes the opposition can play good cricket than you, so you just have to accept it. I think last game they still played better cricket than us to start off, but we came back really well. So we showed some character,” Gaikwad stated.
“Even today, I think from a batting point of view, a young boy Kartik, showing that confidence, getting that 70 or 80 odd was really good to see. So, as a unit, as I said, you know, middle order was something still we were lacking. But going into the last couple of games of the tournament, I think I'm really confident that, right from a batting point of view, we have started to click and bowling, we are doing really well. Just off day today, but going into the couple of games, I'm really confident on the side,” he remarked.
Gaikwad described their playoff qualification path simply as "win every game" as CSK shift focus to adapting to the upcoming matches in Chennai
“(How do you face the next two games?) Well, first challenge is getting to Chennai. It's a long flight. After that, just make sure we comeback and improve what are the areas we need to improve and yes, try and adapt and assess the conditions as quickly as possible and it is a simple calculation for us. Win each and every game for how much ever games we play. So I think nothing simple. I mean, it is simple, nothing complicated. So quite easy here on for us. Nothing to worry about. Just make sure we have a good day. Make it count whoever has a good day and hope that we hope that we turn the things around,” he concluded.