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“The Plan Was To…”: Gaikwad Explains Why Dhoni And Shankar Batted Slowly Vs DC

Bhargav Dixit

Ruturaj Gaikwad finds powerplay a concern for CSK. [Source: JioHotstar]Ruturaj Gaikwad finds powerplay a concern for CSK. [Source: JioHotstar]

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad pointed out lack of momentum as the reason behind a poor batting performance against Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium today. With the home team falling short of a 185-run chase by 25 runs, it allowed DC to beat CSK at this ground for the first time since 2010.

If truth be told, CSK never looked capable enough of scoring over 9 runs per over this evening. Having scored 46/3 in the powerplay, yet another underwhelming start laid the foundation of their third loss during the ongoing 18th season of the Indian Premier League.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Explains CSK’s Debatable Strategy

Speaking during the post-match presentation, Gaikwad admitted that powerplay, whilst both batting and bowling, has been a concern for them this season.

Notably, Super Kings’ top-order batters’ strike rate of 134.48 is the second-worst this season. For batters batting between Nos. 1-7, their strike rate of 124.94 is the lowest. In fact, Gaikwad’s men form the only team to be striking under 130 in this aspect this year.

“The plan was to take it as deep as possible. But DC bowled really well and used the conditions well and we couldn't get the momentum. Even when Shivam [Dube] was batting, we were trying to get the momentum but we couldn't get it,” Gaikwad told the host broadcaster.

“Taking the game deep” has been former Chennai captain MS Dhoni’s go-to strategy during run-chases. While he was part of the franchise’s highest sixth-wicket partnership alongside Vijay Shankar, who scored the slowest half-century of the season on Saturday, both scoring a combined 99* (80) at a strike rate of 123.75 didn’t put any pressure whatsoever on the Capitals.

The fact that Shankar and Dhoni hit just five fours and two sixes across 56 deliveries made it one of CSK’s worst run-chase attempts in IPL history. Besides not hitting boundaries, them not even trying to convert singles into doubles highlighted a shocking lack of intent.