CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad highlighted the team’s sub-par bowling against PBKS because the Chennai-based fully franchise suffered their second consecutive defeat in as many matches in the continuing IPL 2026.
AP
IPL 2026: Chennai Enormous Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad highlighted the team’s sub-par bowling against Punjab Kings (PBKS) because the Chennai-based fully franchise suffered their second consecutive defeat in as many matches in the continuing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 despite scoring 209 runs while batting first.
Despite CSK scoring 209/5 batting first, PBKS chased down the target with ease in barely 18.2 overs. CSK’s bowlers struggled to contain the runs, with Matt Henry (2/54 in 4 overs) and Anshul Kamboj (2/43 in 3.4 overs) proving costly, allowing PBKS to rating freely without a lot resistance.
Speaking on the put up-match presentation, Gaikwad admitted that CSK lacked consistency with the ball and did now not accomplish tension right thru key moments, allowing the specified bustle price to preserve manageable for the PBKS batters.
“Sometimes, we executed well; sometimes, we did not execute well. The pressure did not build. There was a point when it (required run-rate) went to 11, and a couple of good overs would have taken it to 12-13. We just did not get momentum in the middle (with the ball). Tough one (to take). Lot of positives. Ayush batted brilliantly. Shivam batted really well. Batting-wise, we had good confidence. Bowling-wise, lot to improve,” he talked about.
Gaikwad talked about that he felt the total modified into competitive given the pitch stipulations, which equipped help to both pacers and slower deliveries.
“I feel it was a really good score. Wicket was better for pacers but it was gripping – slower balls were gripping too. With big boundaries, felt it was a really good score,” he talked about.
Gaikwad played a 22-ball 28-bustle innings. Speaking about his batting, Gaikwad talked about he aimed to preserve on the crease and place his innings which potential that of the titillating pitch, planning to tempo up later, but modified into brushed aside at an premature second.
“Today, I felt to stick around a bit. Wicket was gripping, so thought to hang in there and then cash in but unfortunately, got out at the wrong time,” he talked about.
Coming to the match, CSK modified into place to bat first, scoring 209/5, with knocks from Ayush Mhatre (73 in 43 balls, with six fours and 5 sixes), Shivam Dube (forty five* in 28 balls, with 5 fours and a six) and Sarfaraz Khan (32 in 12 balls, with six fours and a six) standing out.
Within the bustle-slither, a 61-bustle stand between Priyansh Arya (39 in 11 balls, with three fours and 4 sixes) and Prabhsimran Singh (43 in 34 balls, with six fours and a six), a fiery 22-ball 36 from Cooper Connolly with six fours and a fifty from skipper Iyer (50 in 29 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) took PBKS to the target in 18.4 overs.
