Former England skipper Michael Vaughan feels Chennai Super Kings’ slow start in the Powerplay overs led to their downfall against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur on Thursday. CSK were given a stiff target of 203 runs but they could not get going in the run-chase.
The CSK openers – Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway – could only manage 42-1 in the first six overs. While Gaikwad scored 34 runs from 20 balls in the opening six overs, Conway was dismissed on the last ball of the powerplay overs after trundling to eight runs from 16 balls.
Ergo, CSK could not get the early impetus they needed to chase down the big score against RR. Ajinkya Rahane, who has been in terrific form in the ongoing season, was also dismissed cheaply for 15 runs.
The required run rate kept soaring high as CSK could not manage to find regular boundaries in the middle overs.
Michael Vaughan said on Cricbuzz, “The powerplay from Chennai was a strange one because they only got 42 and lost the wicket of Conway. I wonder if they should have gone a bit hard in the first six.
“Even if they would have lost two to three wickets and scored 60, they would have been up with the run rate. You don’t see many teams chasing 200-plus runs when you go seven-an-over in the powerplay. The powerplay really cost CSK in the chase.”
Meanwhile, Vaughan showered praise on Adam Zampa for his fine spell of bowling. Zampa, who replaced Trent Boult in the final XI, delivered with the ball for RR. The Australian leg-spinner scalped three wickets as he accounted for Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, and Moeen Ali and conceded only 22 runs in his three overs.
“It was needed on the back of two defeats. But they were very professional. Jaiswal really got them on their way with the bat in the powerplay. And after losing two games, you just need to get the momentum going, and I think they did that.
“They were smart in the field. Zampa was excellent coming back into the side. In the IPL, if you get an opportunity, you have to make it count, and he’s made RR’s life a little more difficult because when Trent Boult is fit, what are they going to do?”
Rajasthan Royals will next take on Mumbai Indians in the 42nd match of the ongoing IPL 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
