Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu admitted the batting conditions in Guwahati were difficult but feels CSK batters could have shown better application and shot-selection after an eight-wicket loss against the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Monday.
CSK were put into bat by Riyan Parag, and the visitors were left reeling at 38-4 in the Powerplay overs. The tourists kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could not get any impetus on their side.
Rayudu said CSK batters could have been more guile in their shot-selection. Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kartik Sharma, Shivam Dube, and Ayush Mhatre were all dismissed while trying to play big shots before getting settled.
Rayudu said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Definitely, the conditions were tough, but a little application was needed. They had the batsman to do that. Unfortunately, the shot selection was not great, especially in the first 4-5 overs. That’s where the batting innings was lost. If they have lost two less wickets in that period, maybe they would have gone on to score 150 or 160, which would have been quite tough to chase on this pitch.
“A little more application was needed. You can say it’s a young side as well. Maybe they need a little bit of time to gel in and, you know, get the innings and the squad going, but no excuses to be honest,” the 40-year-old added.
On the other hand, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad reckons the batting conditions were really tough at the start.
He said at the post-match presentation, “I felt the conditions at the start were really tough, especially when facing Jofra and Burger. They bowled brilliant lengths, and even after that, to a medium-pacer, it was slightly tough. You could see even the spinners were getting some assistance as well.
“Yes, we would have been better in batting, we would have taken the game deep, showed some batsmanship, maybe take the game till 150-160. But, nowadays, you never know what’s a good score, so you just have to keep going,” Gaikwad added.
Chennai Super Kings will next take on Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Friday.
