IPL 2024: CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals reason for loss against Lucknow Super Giants

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad rued a poor powerplay with both bat and ball after the loss against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on April 19. CSK, however, did manage to get some last-over impetus, thanks to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 9-ball 28 not out but their total of 176/6 in 20 overs did not proveenough.

"I know we finished off really well - couldn't have asked for more - but I think after the powerplay, we couldn't just kick off from the start we got until the 14th or 15th over," Gaikwad said after the match. "We kept losing wickets at regular intervals. I think [we were] 10-15 runs short."

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"Even on these kind of pitches - I felt it was a sluggish one to start off with, with dew coming later [and the pitch] getting better - I still feel 180-190 would have been a good score," he said.

Chasing the target, LSG didn't look perturbed at all as openers Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul added 134 runs in 15 overs. Gaikwad acknowledged that not taking wickets in the powerplay is also something they need to work upon.

"[That] is the one area where we would like to improve going forward. It really puts the opposition on the back foot if we get wickets in the powerplay - especially when we are about ten runs short - and definitely that is one area we need to work on," said the CSK skipper.

LSG eventually achieved the target in 19 overs with eight wickets in hand. Rahul top scored with 53-ball 82 while de Kock hit 43-ball 54. Nicholas Pooran also smashed his way to unbeaten 12-ball 23 and won the match for his team - their fourth win in seven games this season.

For CSK, it was their third loss in seven games as they stay put at third place on the 10-team points table, two above LSG, who are fifth.