Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad lamented the dropped catches after suffering a 18-run loss against Punjab Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Tuesday.
PBKS posted a par score of 219 runs on the board after Shreyas Iyer decided to bat first. PBKS opener Priyansh Arya scored a fine knock of 103 runs off just 42 balls with the help of seven fours and nine sixes.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals at the other end, the youngster kept playing high-risk shots but reaped rewards. The left-hander also had the rub of the green on his side when he was on 73 as Mukesh Choudhary touched the ropes after catching the ball.
Furthermore, Shashank Singh was also given an extra life as Rachin Ravindra fluffed an easy chance.
Ruturaj Gaikwad said in the post-match presentation, “I think the last four games, the only point of difference (fielding being the difference). It has been critical. The catches we have been dropping, the same batsman is scoring 15, 20, 30 runs. Sometimes you have to appreciate it (On Arya’s 100). Priyansh played well. High-risk batting and it came off well. We were getting wickets at regular intervals but they kept the momentum going. 10-15 runs lesser would have helped us. But it comes down to dropped catches.”
In response, CSK scored 201 runs and Gaikwad was pleased with the batting effort as the openers – Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway – scored 36 and 69 runs respectively.
Gaikwad concluded, “It was spot-on in the batting perspective. Two of our best batters (Rachin and Conway) who play pace well went at the top of the order. They had a good powerplay. Lots of positives in the batting department. We were two three hits away today, Devon is more of a timer of a ball. Very useful at the top of the order. Jaddu, his role is completely different, you know the batsmen is struggling.”
Chennai Super Kings will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday.
