CSK skipper MS Dhoni speaking after the match (Photo: iplt20.com)
CSK skipper MS Dhoni said bowlers needed to be more aware of the situation and also said the execution was probably ‘poor’
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a shocking 4 wicket defeat at the hands of Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday afternoon in Chennai. Despite a mammoth total of 200 points, the four-time champions succumbed to defeat following a disappointing bowling spectacle. Fly-half Devon Conway beat an unbeaten 92 on just 542 deliveries but his efforts were in vain as the side led by Shikhar Dhawan hit the game-winning runs from the final ball to silence the Yellow Brigade.
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In pursuit of 201, Punjab needed nine points from the final. Pacer Matheesha Pathirana conceded just two of the first three deliveries, but Sikandar Raza kept his cool under immense pressure, scoring two runs apiece on the next two balls. Punjab finished at 201 for 6 as Prabhsimran Singh (42), Liam Livingstone (40), Sam Curran (29) and Jitesh Sharma (21) played crucial roles with bat in hand.
Following the defeat, CSK skipper MS Dhoni said the bowlers needed to be more aware of the situation and also said the execution was probably “poor”.
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“We lost it [the game] in a few overs in the middle. You have to be aware of what you need to bowl and be clear because the batters are going to go for it (big hits). (Matheesha) Pathirana played well but other than that we have to see if the plans were bad or the execution was bad,” said Dhoni.
With the exception of fly-half Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad (37), none of the other hitters were able to make an impact and Dhoni estimated his team could have scored another 10 runs.
“We should do better with the bat. The pitch turned, there was a turn when he hit the seam. Slower bullets seized. I think 200 (races) was normal. Also towards the end of our innings, could we have had 10 more? he asked.
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Devon Conway, who won the player of the match award for his blistering shot, was also disheartened by the results.
“We thought 200 was a very competitive total, so a little disappointed to lose that one,” Conway said.
“We felt that (the wicket) was a bit slow when you hit the wicket. I try not to complicate things too much. I try to keep things as simple as possible. I try to work as closely as possible with (batting coach) Mike Hussey. With the other players, we have a lot of experience in our camp. Just try to work with them,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
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