Cricket

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed disappointment after his team's 27-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The loss eliminated CSK from the playoffs contention.Gaikwad, who was dismissed for a golden duck in the second innings, acknowledged the challenges faced by his team throughout the season. "We had a lot of injuries, and not having Devon Conway made a big difference," he said. "Pathirana got injured, and we missed Mustafizur Rahman as well. When you have injuries, it's difficult to balance the squad."Despite the setbacks, Gaikwad praised the team's performance in seven out of 14 games. "I'm pretty happy with that," he said. "But I'm slightly disappointed that we couldn't make the playoffs."Gaikwad also highlighted the difficulty of the wicket in Bengaluru. "It was turning and gripping a little bit," he said. "I was happy with the target we set, but we couldn't get over the line."In the match, RCB posted a formidable 218/5 on the board, with Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Cameron Green contributing significant runs. CSK, in response, lost early wickets but fought back through Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane. However, a late collapse saw them fall short of the target.RCB's victory secured their place in the playoffs, while CSK finished fifth in the standings.

MS Dhoni's IPL Future: Hussey Hopes for 'Another Couple of Years'Michael Hussey, Chennai Super Kings' batting coach, remains uncertain about MS Dhoni's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but expresses his desire for the legendary wicketkeeper-batter to continue for a few more seasons."Your guess is as good as mine at this stage," Hussey said on ESPN's Around the Wicket show. "He keeps his cards very close to his chest. We are hoping he does keep going."Despite undergoing knee surgery after the previous IPL season, Dhoni has been in impressive form this year, scoring 136 runs in ten innings at a strike rate of 226.66. Hussey attributes this to Dhoni's meticulous preparation and ability to hit the ball cleanly from the first delivery."He is still batting so well. He does prepare well - he gets into the camp very early and hits a lot of balls," Hussey said. "He has been in good touch all season really."However, CSK has been managing Dhoni's workload due to his knee surgery, often sending him in to bat at lower positions. Hussey acknowledges that fans may prefer to see Dhoni bat higher in the order, but emphasizes the need to protect his body."I know fans probably want to see him batting a little bit higher in the order," Hussey said, "but that [the knee surgery] is why we have had to manage him a little bit and he only comes in at the back end."At the start of the season, Dhoni surprised many by handing over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Hussey reveals that Dhoni's decision was not entirely unexpected, as Gaikwad had been groomed for the role for some time."MS sort of announced that he was not going to be attending the pre-tournament captains meeting. And we're like, 'Oh, no. What's going on?'," Hussey said. "He said Ruturaj was going to be captain from then on. So it was a little bit of a shock to start with but it has been managed really well."Under Gaikwad's leadership, CSK has won seven out of 13 games and is currently third on the points table. Gaikwad himself has been a key contributor with the bat, scoring 583 runs at a strike rate of 141.50."He is a great guy, Ruturaj, very calm," Hussey said. "He is a good thinker of the game. I mean it was always going to be a massive challenge for him, you know, how do you follow someone like MS Dhoni - it was going to be tough. But he has done a great job."Hussey believes that Gaikwad will continue to improve as captain and that his batting has not been affected by the added responsibility.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed significant captaincy changes this season, with two of its most successful teams, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), entrusting new leaders. MS Dhoni, the legendary CSK captain, has passed the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad, while Hardik Pandya has taken over the reins at MI, succeeding Rohit Sharma.CSK's leadership transition has been seamless, with minimal disruption to the established hierarchy. In contrast, MI has faced considerable backlash following their unexpected setback, becoming the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs race.Reflecting on his new role, Gaikwad has emphasized Dhoni's supportive stance while allowing him autonomy in decision-making. "Last year, I was thinking about what changes I would make if I were captain," Gaikwad said. "I'm happy that I took control of the first game and didn't ask for suggestions from Dhoni."Dhoni has given Gaikwad full responsibility, offering guidance only when necessary. "He said, 'Whatever you do, it's your decision and responsibility. I won't interfere. I'll help with field angles if needed, but you'll have to take care of the batting order and everything else,'" Gaikwad revealed.As CSK aims to secure a playoff berth, Gaikwad's leadership faces a crucial test against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday. RR, currently second in the standings, will be looking to bounce back from successive defeats and consolidate their playoff entry under Sanju Samson's leadership.

Chennai Super Kings Opt to Bowl First Against Gujarat Titans in IPL ClashIn the 59th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 10, 2024.CSK, currently placed fourth in the standings with 12 points, made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Rachin Ravindra for Richard Gleeson. GT, who have lost seven matches in 11 outings and are languishing at the 10th spot, also made a single alteration, with Kartik Tyagi replacing Joshua Little.Speaking at the toss, Gaikwad expressed confidence in his team's ability to chase down any target. "We will bowl first. Looks a good wicket, to be honest. It's been a chasing ground, so we will look to chase. Pretty much similar to Chennai. We didn't like a red solid wicket much. Pretty relaxed. You tend to lose many games in IPL, you have to back everyone and make sure everyone is in a good head space. We had injuries in between, but happy. Rachin comes in for Gleeson," said Gaikwad.GT captain Shubman Gill admitted that his team's chances of qualifying for the playoffs are slim but vowed to fight hard. "Would have bowled first as well, looks a good wicket. There's a 1% chance of qualifying, so we are going to try hard for that. The mood is like any other match, we as a team believe in doing the best we can. Will be a good surface to bat on. Will score runs and try to restrict them. Wade comes in for Saha who has a niggle. In order to balance the team combination Kartik Tyagi comes in for Jos Little," said Gill.Teams:Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI):* Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)* Rachin Ravindra* Daryl Mitchell* Shivam Dube* Moeen Ali* Ravindra Jadeja* MS Dhoni (Wk)* Mitchell Santner* Shardul Thakur* Tushar Deshpande* Simarjeet SinghGujarat Titans (Playing XI):* Shubman Gill (C)* Sai Sudharsan* Shahrukh Khan* David Miller* Matthew Wade (Wk)* Rahul Tewatia* Rashid Khan* Noor Ahmad* Umesh Yadav* Mohit Sharma* Kartik Tyagi

The upcoming clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Ahmedabad holds immense significance for both teams. In the previous season's final, CSK emerged victorious, claiming their fifth IPL title. However, the tables have turned this year, with CSK currently occupying fourth place in the standings while GT languishes at the bottom.GT's struggles have been compounded by injuries to key players Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya. The onus now falls on captain Shubman Gill to inspire his team with both his batting and leadership. Gill, the reigning Orange Cap winner, has amassed 322 runs in 11 matches, but his opening partner Wriddhiman Saha has underperformed.GT's batting has been anchored by Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan, who has scored 424 runs in 11 matches. However, the middle-order, including David Miller, Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia, needs to step up.In contrast, CSK's bowling attack has been impressive, with pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesha Pathirana leading the charge. Spinners have also played a crucial role, keeping the opposition batters in check.CSK's batting has been led by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has scored 541 runs in 11 matches. Veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains a key figure, and his presence on the field is sure to electrify the Ahmedabad crowd.With the first two qualifiers scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad, the crowd will have the opportunity to witness Dhoni's brilliance once again. The clash between GT and CSK promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams desperate for a victory to boost their playoff hopes.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's luck with the toss continues to elude him, as the Chennai Super Kings skipper lost his 10th toss out of 11 matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite the unfavorable outcomes, Gaikwad remains unfazed, emphasizing the importance of winning the game rather than the toss.Despite losing the toss 10 times, CSK has managed to emerge victorious in 5 matches, a testament to their resilience and adaptability. "We've just stuck to our process and doing little things right," Gaikwad said. "We don't look at the track record of the opposition, we focus on ourselves and see what we can do right."Gaikwad's philosophy echoes that of former CSK captain MS Dhoni, who lost 12 tosses during the 2012 season but still led the team to the final. This suggests that while winning the toss can provide an advantage, it is not a decisive factor in determining the outcome of a match.In the match against Punjab Kings, Gaikwad made two changes to his team, bringing in Mitchell Santner and Tushar Deshpande in place of Mustafizur Rahman and Sameer Rizvi. Punjab Kings, led by stand-in skipper Sam Curran, opted to bowl first after winning the toss.Despite losing the toss, CSK has shown that they are a formidable team capable of overcoming adversity. Gaikwad's leadership and the team's unwavering focus on their own strengths have been key factors in their success.

Punjab Kings Opt to Chase Against Chennai Super Kings in IPL ClashIn a highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter, Punjab Kings captain Sam Curran won the toss and elected to field first against Chennai Super Kings at the picturesque Dharamsala Cricket Stadium on May 5.Curran expressed his team's preference for chasing, stating, "We fancy our chances of chasing here. We are playing the same team."Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, on the other hand, acknowledged their recent struggles in the toss, saying, "We lost nine out of ten tosses so far. But we won five games. It is a positive." He also revealed that Mitchell Santner had replaced Mustafizur Rahman in the team.The teams took to the field with the following lineups:Chennai Super Kings:* Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)* Ajinkya Rahane* Daryl Mitchell* Shivam Dube* Ravindra Jadeja* Moeen Ali* MS Dhoni (wk)* Mitchell Santner* Shardul Thakur* Tushar Deshpande* Richard GleesonPunjab Kings:* Jonny Bairstow* Rilee Rossouw* Shashank Singh* Sam Curran (c)* Jitesh Sharma (wk)* Ashutosh Sharma* Harpreet Brar* Kagiso Rabada* Rahul Chahar* Harshal Patel* Arshdeep SinghThe match commenced with Chennai Super Kings openers Gaikwad and Rahane facing the Punjab Kings bowlers. The Punjab bowlers, led by Rabada and Arshdeep, kept the scoring rate in check, while the Chennai batters struggled to find their rhythm.As the innings progressed, the Punjab Kings bowlers continued to dominate, with Chahar and Patel picking up wickets at regular intervals. Chennai Super Kings eventually managed to post a modest total of 145/8 in their allotted 20 overs.In response, the Punjab Kings openers, Bairstow and Rossouw, got off to a solid start, putting on a 50-run partnership. However, the Chennai bowlers fought back, with Santner and Gleeson taking wickets to put the brakes on the Punjab chase.Despite the setbacks, the Punjab Kings middle order, led by Curran and Jitesh Sharma, kept the scoreboard ticking. They eventually reached the target with two balls to spare, securing a crucial victory.

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face an uphill battle to secure their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs as they prepare to take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a crucial encounter in Dharamsala on May 5.CSK's recent struggles have seen them slip to fifth in the standings with just four games remaining. Their hopes of a top-four finish were dealt a blow when PBKS outclassed them by seven wickets at Chepauk, their home ground.The loss exposed CSK's batting woes, with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube carrying the bulk of the responsibility. The team's over-reliance on these two players has put pressure on the others, who have failed to consistently deliver.CSK's bowling attack has also been hampered by injuries and fitness concerns. Deepak Chahar, their frontline pacer, limped off the field after bowling just two balls in the previous match and is likely to miss the reverse clash against PBKS. The absence of Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande has further weakened their bowling options.In contrast, PBKS have enjoyed a resurgence in recent weeks, registering back-to-back wins to reignite their playoff hopes. Jonny Bairstow, who smashed a century against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will be their key man, while Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, and Prabhsimran Singh have also made valuable contributions.PBKS' bowling department boasts experienced names such as Kagiso Rabada, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Sam Curran. They will need to maintain their consistency to keep CSK's batters in check.The venue for the match, Dharamsala stadium, offers a high-scoring environment, with dew remaining a factor. This could make it difficult for spinners to make an impact, as was evident in the previous match between CSK and PBKS.

Legendary Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has expressed his disappointment over the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to overlook Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.Gaikwad, who is currently the highest run-scorer in IPL 2024 with over 500 runs in 17 innings, was surprisingly left out of the Indian squad. Srikkanth believes that Gaikwad's impressive performances, including a century against Australia, warranted his inclusion in the team.In contrast, Shubman Gill, who has been struggling for form in all formats, has been added to the reserve list. Srikkanth accused the team management of "favouritism" and questioned Gill's selection ahead of Gaikwad."Shubman Gill is totally out of form, but why is he selected in the team? There's no doubt that Ruturaj Gaikwad deserves a place. He scored more than 500 runs in 17 innings. Also, he scored a century against Australia. Shubman Gill is selectors' delight. He gets a chance even if he fails. He finds a place even if he fails in Tests, ODIs, and T20s. There's too much favouritism in selection. The team selection is all about favouritism," Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel 'Cheeky Chekka.'Srikkanth's criticism echoes the sentiments of many fans and experts who believe that Gaikwad's omission is a major oversight. The 26-year-old opener has been in excellent form in recent months and has proven his ability to score runs consistently at the highest level.The BCCI's decision to overlook Gaikwad has also raised questions about the selection criteria for the Indian team. Critics argue that the selectors are biased towards certain players and that performance is not always the primary factor in team selection.The exclusion of Rinku Singh, another in-form batsman, from the T20 World Cup squad has also drawn criticism. Singh has been in impressive form for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 and many believe he deserved a place in the Indian team.The BCCI has not yet responded to Srikkanth's allegations of favouritism. However, the team management will be under pressure to justify their decision to leave out Gaikwad and Singh from the T20 World Cup squad.