34 runs were needed off the final two overs for Lucknow Super Giants and the ball was in Chennai Super Kings’ court.
Ravindra Jadeja, the team’s new leader, decided to throw the ball to medium-pacer, Shivam Dube, who hadn’t bowled a single over till then. It was always going to be a gamble but CSK had few other options other than to take it.
Dube was smashed for a six by rookie batter Ayush Badoni on the first ball he bowled and the pressure was shifted right back on the inexperienced bowler. Dube gave away two consecutive wides and bowled length deliveries against a well-settled Evin Lewis, who went on to punish him and CSK. Lewis scored two fours and one six in the over and LSG was able to take 25 runs off the penultimate over to change the course of the match in their favor.
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that the conditions were really wet and it was not easy as a fielding unit. CSK had done well to post 210 runs on the board but they always knew they were going to have their work cut defending. As Dwaine Preterious and Dwayne Bravo had bowled out, it was always going to be difficult for CSK rookie bowlers to defend 34 runs in the last two overs.
“If you looked earlier on, spinning options were taken out of play,” Fleming said at the post-match press conference. “Because of the wetness, they played well. So, it was very hard for one: to grip the ball for a spinner and two: to be effective. Early on, we were one over short, but they played well.
“We always knew we had to pick an over somewhere. We were hoping to be able to create enough of a run rate towards the end that we could squeeze someone in. Whether that was another spinner or a medium pacer, the decision was made in the middle to use Dube and they countered it well. We always knew that one over was going to be pivotal. I think they did as well.”
The former New Zealand captain admitted that it was always going to be difficult as the conditions were tough for the bowlers. Fleming feels they did well to stay in the game defensively but gave credit to the opposition.
“We did well to get to 210, but we were always realistic that it was going to get harder as the night went on. We worked very hard to stay in the game. Defensively, I thought we were great. After 10 overs, we knuckled down and were fantastic to stay in the game. It’s pretty hard fielding second at the moment.
“We knew we had to be really accurate. At no stage did we feel comfortable. And that showed in our fielding as well, the conditions were really wet. The guys hung in there defensively very well, proud of the effort.”
This is the first time in the IPL history when Chennai Super Kings have lost their opening two matches of the season. Chennai Super Kings will next face Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
