Single-game super Saturday is done. El Clasico has been wiped out by CSK. Two games coming up tomorrow. See you for that, bye for now.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, POTM and CSK captain We started well, then they got momentum. We pulled it back after powerplay and were chasing 20-30 runs less. It was about getting a good start and then one of the batters had to go deep. (Kamboj) He keeps it simple. He understands how the pitch plays, he thinks like a batter. Noor needed momentum and wickets like this, he comes into play. He's made adjustments and is doing well. We thought about how to get the balance right, get the batter at No. 8 and the extra bowler if needed. Veer does that role well, both youngsters (Kartik) are doing well, so gave them a chance (and no Akeal). Feels good to bat till the end. I was always feeling well, confident. But in T20s you can hit good shots straight to fielders. But my wife, team-mates and management made sure I was feeling well. I wanted to make sure to take the team to the end if I got a start. Confidence booster for Kartik. (Urvil) He's a six-hitter but doesn't slog wildly. Picks and chooses his bowlers and deliveries. Coming in at No. 4, he gives balance. Plays well to pacers and spinners. Once he gets going, he'll give a lot more in the coming years. (Approach for next game) Have to keep it simple. Mistakes will happen, but we've to give everything for the jersey and the fans.
Kartik Sharma I was thinking we have to chase this and finish it. Glad to have done it. Ruturaj said play the game you know, not anything else. Pitch was slow, was holding for the spinners. All shots felt nice. (About his celebration) Had decided to do it if we won.
No questions on his batting for Hardik
Hardik Pandya (Not his day?) Not the season, I feel. They played better; bowled, fielded and batted better. At one point, we were looking at 180-190. We couldn't get momentum post-10 overs, not the finish as well. Not easy to play shots early in the innings. It was about playing calculated innings, which they did. Batters couldn't get under the batter, they bowled better. We would've had to throw fireballs to get them out. We went with our bowling options, they played smart cricket and were better.
Edwin: "CSK definitely lacking power hitter - the way Krish over went only for 4 runs??? The game should have been done in 2 balls but needed 8 balls. CSK should look at this. "
Navin Daga: "In a 150 chase, if you cannot let Bumrah bowl 4 overs, then you have some horrible planning and match awareness"
11:14pm Another feeble performance from MI. They lost it in the first innings. Positives pile on for CSK's batting. They could've finished it earlier but solid fifties from Kartik and Ruturaj. Ruturaj actually got off to a quick start but stablised later on. Urvil played some fantastic shots too. Bumrah pretty much had Samson twice in one over but nothing afterwords. Ghazanfar bowled a few wicket-taking balls but was picked for boundaries too. Raghu showed control on debut but like Boult, Bhagat and Hardik, didn't take wickets.
END OF OVER:18 | 4 Runs | CSK: 156/2 (4 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.66, RRR: 2.00)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad67 (48b)
- Kartik Sharma50 (39b)
- Krish Bhagat2-0-22-0
- AM Ghazanfar4-0-40-1
Nik: "Get ready for usual and boring "we were 15-20 short" type lines!" Tbf Hardik was candid a couple of games back
For those interested, MI not yet out mathematically even if they lose tonight, S Rajesh from our stats team says. They can still make it with 14 theoretically without NRR. Theoretically lifting mountains there
No Bumrah, Bhagat it will be
END OF OVER:17 | 14 Runs | CSK: 152/2 (8 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.94, RRR: 2.66)
- Kartik Sharma47 (35b)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad66 (46b)
- AM Ghazanfar4-0-40-1
- Trent Boult3-0-33-0
Ravi: "Mukund, may be it's more about what the situation demands - the 2 points than upping the ante. Urvil is in good touch, Gaikwad seems to be back and karthik is doing well. 3 positives with 2 points."
KumarS: "Cuts hard, beats long off? Dont cut go square/behind square of wicket?" Not always, they go straighter when played from in front of the body. There are often sweeps that go over long-on too. Esp if the ball is wide
Ghazanfar to close out
