Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK’s captain, attributes the dew factor to their loss against Punjab Kings.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has cited the dew factor as the primary reason for his team’s defeat against Punjab Kings at Chepauk. Gaikwad expressed disappointment with their batting performance after being put in to bat first, acknowledging that the dew and the Impact Player rule worked against them.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted that CSK fell short by 50-60 runs due to the challenging pitch conditions exacerbated by dew. He highlighted that even in their previous match, which they won convincingly against Sunrisers Hyderabad, they were surprised by the margin of victory given the adverse conditions.

CSK struggled against Punjab’s spinners, particularly Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar, who collectively took four crucial wickets. In contrast, CSK’s bowling options were limited, with Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana unavailable due to illness and injury, respectively. The situation worsened when Deepak Chahar left the field after bowling just two balls, leaving Gaikwad short on bowling options.

“It’s a real problem,” Gaikwad expressed. “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.”

Despite the setback, Gaikwad remains optimistic about turning things around in the remaining four games of the season. CSK’s next match against Rajasthan Royals on May 12 will be their final home fixture in Chennai before facing Punjab Kings again in Dharamsala.

Chennai Super Kings’ loss against Punjab Kings highlighted the challenges posed by dew and spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s acknowledgment of these challenges underscores the team’s determination to adapt and bounce back in the upcoming matches.

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