NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings' pursuit of victory was hindered by a sluggish start in their chase against the Delhi Capitals, resulting in a 20-run loss at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Despite posting 191/5 thanks to stellar performances from David Warner and Rishabh Pant, DC faced resistance from CSK. However, left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed's early breakthroughs, including the dismissal of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, derailed CSK's chase.
Speaking after the match, Gaikwad acknowledged the impact of their slow start, noting, "First three-four overs, we couldn't get really going, and I feel at the end of the day that really was the difference."
While CSK attempted to stage a recovery through Ajinkya Rahane and Daryl Mitchell's partnership, DC's disciplined bowling thwarted their efforts. Gaikwad expressed contentment with their bowling effort, citing the challenges posed by the pitch conditions.
Reflecting on missed opportunities, Gaikwad remarked, "Just two or three hits here and there, and in the bowling if we had stopped one or two boundaries, I think it would have made the difference."
In response to queries about tactical decisions, Gaikwad defended the team's composition, stating, "Not really (if an extra bowler in the lineup with help in powerplay). I feel Deepak is always used to bowling 3 overs."
Despite the setback, Gaikwad remained optimistic, attributing the loss to minor margins and acknowledging the fluctuations in performance expected during the tournament.
(With inputs from IANS)
