Being unable to get going in first 3 overs was the difference: Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) succumbed to their first loss of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with a 20-run loss to Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vizag on March 31 (Sunday). Chasing 192, CSK were reduced to 7/2 in the first three overs, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad believes that was the difference.

"There was extra seam movement and spongy bounce. I felt he [Rachin Ravindra] was missing it by a big margin. We couldn't get going in the first three overs, and that was the difference. At the halfway stage, it was getable. There was extra seam movement, and we couldn't capitalise, and we were always behind," Gaikwad said at the post-match presentation.

Gaikwad also said he was happy with the way his bowlers bounced back after DC had put up 62 on the board without losing a wicket in the powerplay.

"I think I was pretty much happy with the way they [bowlers] came back after the start [powerplay]. Restricting them to 191 was a good effort," he said.

"Even though the first four overs were good, the last two overs were expensive. After two good games, you can expect the third game to go below par, and that's nothing to worry about," he further added.

Speaking of the victory, DC skipper Rishabh Pant, who scored his first fifty of the season, said, "Bowlers have been clinical today. We've learnt from our mistakes. He's been working hard from last two weeks [Prithvi Shaw]. We thought it's time to give him a chance and he flourished. It will depend on match to match, but if Mukesh [Kumar] can bowl at the death, it'll be great."

Player of the match Khaleel Ahmed, who finished with 2/21, feels that his hard work in domestic cricket over the last few months has paid off.

"Have worked hard in the domestic season. Played a lot of matches in the last six months which has helped me know my game better," Khaleel said. 

"Love it when the ball swings and the batters get beaten. Have tried to figure out how I can keep myself fit. Red-ball game teaches you a lot about how the ball is coming out of the hand."

After two losses in a row, DC are finally off the mark in IPL 2024. They will hope to make it two in a row when they take on the unbeaten Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Vizag on April 3 (Wednesday).