IPL 2025: Gaikwad Attributes Losses to Dropped Catches After CSK's Fourth Consecutive Defeat
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Synopsis
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad discussed the team's fourth consecutive loss in IPL 2025, attributing it to dropped catches and poor execution in the field. Despite a solid batting performance, CSK's mistakes cost them crucial runs against the Punjab Kings.
Key Takeaways
- CSK's poor fielding led to critical dropped catches.
- Devon Conway was surprisingly retired while batting well.
- Gaikwad emphasized the importance of execution in the field.
- The team showed improvement in batting during the chase.
- Extra runs conceded were pivotal in the match outcome.
New Chandigarh, April 8 (NationPress) Following their fourth consecutive defeat, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad pinpointed their recent struggles to inadequate fielding execution after facing an 18-run loss against the Punjab Kings in Match 22 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 here on Tuesday.
The five-time champions provided two crucial chances to opener Priyansh Arya, the first occurring on the second ball of the match, as he went on to create havoc and achieve the second-fastest century by an Indian in IPL history.
Gaikwad expressed that after a lackluster batting display in their recent matches, his team performed well during the chase, but the additional runs given away ultimately cost them the match.
"In the past four matches, that has been the key difference. It has proven very critical. Every dropped catch allows the same batter to add an extra 20-25-30 runs. Excluding the RCB game, in the last three chases, it came down to just one, two, or perhaps three hits.
"If we had executed better, and ultimately, it all boils down to the dropped catches. Today, we were spot-on from a batting perspective. This is what we aimed for. Our top batters, who are adept against pace, batted higher up the order and had an excellent powerplay. It was a better performance with several positives," remarked Gaikwad during the post-match presentation.
One of the most unexpected moments was CSK's choice to retire opener Devon Conway, who was at 69, while MS Dhoni was hitting sixes from the other end, as the Kiwi batsman struggled to maintain the momentum established in the opening 10 overs.
Gaikwad commented on the decision to send him back to the pavilion and bring in Ravindra Jadeja instead. "Devon is a better timer of the ball and very effective at the start. Jaddu has a completely different role. We recognized the batsman's struggle. We waited for him to find his timing and then made the change when we deemed it necessary," Gaikwad added.
