Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that his team couldn’t capitalize on a very good base against Gujarat Titans to finish the innings on a high after they were put in to bat by Rashid Khan at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Sunday.
Ruturaj Gaikwad got back into form for the reigning champions as he scored 73 runs off 48 balls whereas Ambati Rayudu scored 46 runs from 31 balls. The duo added 92 runs for the third wicket alliance and CSK was 124-3 after 14.3 overs. However, CSK could only score 45 runs in the last 33 balls as they failed to finish the innings on a high.
Shivam Dube, who had scored a fine knock of 95 runs in the previous match against RCB, could not continue the same form as he meandered to 19 runs off 17 balls. Jadeja finished the innings with a couple of big blows in the 20th over to take his team close to the 170-run mark.
On the other hand, CSK could not execute their bowling plans in the last five overs. GT needed 48 runs in the last three overs and Chris Jordan conceded 25 runs in the 18th over he bowled, which was a turning point in the game.
Fleming feels the team’s inability to finish their batting and bowling innings on a high led to their downfall.
“There were a lot of moments in the match that one could overanalyze, but the two contributing factors were outstanding innings from David Miller and a very good cameo from Rashid towards the end,” Fleming said.
“The other aspect that was notable was the last five overs in our innings they bowled well and we didn’t capitalize on what was a very good base. There were some key moments throughout, but that was the two areas – the last five overs with the bat and the last 5 overs when they batted.”
Meanwhile, there is no doubt that the 70-run stand between David Miller and Rashid Khan helped GT win by three wickets. Rashid played a fine cameo of 21-ball 40 whereas Miller scored an unbeaten knock of 94 runs.
On the other hand, Chennai had their moments in the match but failed to win the crucial stages. The defending champions will next take on Mumbai Indians on Thursday at the Dr. DY Sports Academy, Mumbai.
