With five defeats in 10 games, Chennai Super Kings are at a crucial juncture in IPL 2024. They are still in the top 4 but have won just one of their last 4 matches. With the end of IPL 2024 fast approaching, CSK would be wary of other teams. Any mistake from here on out could see them drop down in the play-off race. Only the top four teams play in the IPL playoffs. However, there was big news for CSK in the form of new captain Rituraj Gaikwad.
The captain is now the top-ranked player in IPL 2024 and surpassed Virat Kohli on Wednesday to win the Orange Cap. Gaikwad scored 62 against the Punjab Kings and is now on 509 runs in 10 matches. Virat Kohli has 500 runs in 10 matches.
After CSK lost the match to PBKS despite Gaikwad’s performance, some fans started abusing Gaikwad as he surpassed Kohli to get the Orange Cap. But he also received support from a section of the fans.
After Lucknow Super Giants invaded Chepauk, CSK’s fortress was breached for the second time in the ongoing season as CSK players struggled to find their rhythm, with dew hampering them throughout the night.
“Probably 50-60 runs less, the pitching wasn’t good when we were batting but it got better later. Also with the impact rule, we were way short,” Gaikwad said in a post-match presentation.
Talking about the throws, “I practiced the throws (during training), it’s not going well in the match, I don’t know what to do. To be honest, I’m under pressure when I go to the middle (for the throw).”
The five-time champions registered a 78-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday.
“We were also surprised that we won by a big margin in the last match considering the conditions (78-run win against SRH). I think in the last two games, the conditions and the pitch were better, they allowed us to fight hard and get over 200, today it wasn’t good enough to get over 180,” Gaikwad added.
With ANI inputs
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