Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad felt the side is “coming together slowly” after registering a second consecutive win, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs on Tuesday.
Key takeaways
- CSK stretched its winning run to two matches with a 32-run triumph over KKR.
- Gaikwad said the team’s processes are settling in as roles, bowling plans and match needs become clearer.
- Chennai set a target of 193, finishing on 192/5, and defended it despite a pitch that changed after the early overs.
- Noor Ahmad’s spell of 3/21 included crucial breakthroughs during the chase.
- KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane pointed to a lack of batting momentum, even though the bowling kept CSK under control.
- Rahane also highlighted the progress of Kartik Tyagi, who bowled at 148.2 kmph and dismissed Sanju Samson for 48.
CSK’s momentum and Gaikwad’s message
CSK entered the contest following a 23-run victory against Delhi Capitals and made it back-to-back wins to climb to eighth place in the points table.
Gaikwad, speaking after the match, explained that the team is gradually finding rhythm: “Slowly, slowly, it is starting to come together, I feel.” He added that players are beginning to understand their expected contributions—down to which overs to bowl and at what lengths—while adjusting to what the situation demands.
He further said the improvements are visible match to match. “As I said, slowly, slowly, we are getting better and better and that is a good sign for us,” Gaikwad remarked.
Setting 192/5 and defending as the pitch changed
On the batting effort, Gaikwad said CSK had been aiming for a total around 220, but the final score of 192/5 proved sufficient. He felt the wicket offered a moving target: the surface altered sharply after the first seven or eight overs.
Gaikwad described how the conditions affected play: “It started spinning a bit, it started stopping a bit.” With that shift, CSK adjusted expectations during the innings—from plans of 220 or 210 to the belief that anything in the range of 190 or 180 could be competitive.
He added that the bowling strategy then became the priority, particularly securing a strong powerplay phase with the ball.
Gaikwad on form and the team covering for him
Gaikwad also addressed his lean run of form earlier in the season, noting he had managed only 63 runs across five games before this match. He said the relief of being on the winning side helped him mentally.
“Well, firstly, I think, good to be on winning side after a long time,” he said. Gaikwad felt his struggles had been creeping into his batting mindset, but after the previous match he felt more settled. “After the last game, I felt a bit relaxed… I’m feeling really good.”
He emphasized that his focus is on doing whatever the team needs in the moment—adding that he believes a major innings is close. “Just make sure that do whatever the team needs, whatever the situation needs,” Gaikwad said, adding that he expects to contribute when required, with support from the rest of the squad: “And I feel even mentally, I’m feeling really well, feeling positive… but as long as the other guys are just covering up for me definitely I’ll do it when it’s needed.”
Noor Ahmad explains how he handled the conditions
CSK’s victory was shaped by Noor Ahmad, who returned 3/21 and picked up key wickets during KKR’s chase. He said managing the conditions was central to his performance.
Noor pointed out the environment in the match: “The dew was there, and it was humid, so (I was trying to) keep my fingers dry and that helped me a lot to hit the right areas.”
He also noted that the ball wasn’t coming onto the bat smoothly, which offered an opportunity to create pressure. “I think the ball was not coming really well to the bat and to get advantage of that, it was good.” Noor concluded by saying he would continue working to contribute in the upcoming fixtures.
Rahane on restricted scoring and KKR’s batting momentum
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane said the bowlers did their job by restricting CSK, but the batters failed to build momentum. He felt that the target of 190 was achievable on that wicket, particularly during the powerplay.
“No real momentum with the bat, absolutely,” Rahane said. He added that CSK’s total of 190 was “really good,” especially when considering the powerplay, where the scoring reached “70 odd runs.”
Rahane praised the bowling unit’s ability to keep CSK from going too far after that phase, saying they managed to pull things back to 190. He also reflected on KKR’s own powerplay output, stating that the side produced only about 36 or 37 runs in that period.
Staying positive after five defeats
Rahane stressed the importance of remaining upbeat despite KKR’s tough run, with the team having suffered five losses. “It’s tough at the moment,” he said. “Yes, we’re not winning matches, it’s tough.”
He urged the group to stay mentally strong: “What is important for all of us as a group is to stay positive, keep our head up, keep our chin up, just focus on the moment.” He repeated the same message succinctly: “It’s all about being positive and keep our heads up.”
Tyagi’s pace and Samson dismissal
Rahane also discussed pacer Kartik Tyagi, who bowled at 148.2 kmph and dismissed Sanju Samson for 48. Rahane said Tyagi is working hard in the nets, calling him a talented bowler whose pace and skill are improving steadily.
“He is working really hard in the nets. He is been bowling really good and a great talent. The pace which he’s bowling at the moment has been amazing. Game by game, he is improving his skills,” Rahane said.
