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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowlers were taken to the cleaners by Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran on a pace-friendly pitch at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Their purple cap contender, Anshul Kamboj had a horrible outing as he was hit for eight sixes, four consecutive each by Marsh and Pooran. While Kamboj had an off day, former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu blamed skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and lack of support from senior players for the pacer behind the team’s loss. He feels that there weren’t many smart heads on the ground, except Sanju Samson who chose not to intervene.
"I feel the CSK side, when you look at them at the ground, they're not too many smart heads, experienced heads there," Rayudu said on ESPNCricinfo’s TimeOut show. "Players who could just control the game, who can just go and give [Kamboj] a pat, saying, 'boss, just wait, hang on for ten seconds, tie your laces up'.
"Not so many cricket smarts on the ground except maybe Sanju [Samson, the wicketkeeper]. And he is generally not someone who... it's too far away. He doesn't intervene.
"Maybe ask 'what do you think a slower ball can do - do you think it'll work?' So that will click his thinking. Don't ever suggest something. Just ask him a question. 'Do you think we can go this route? Do you think we can bowl a yorker now? Do you think it will work?' Just change his chain of thought. Don't get him lost in that moment."
McClenaghan wanted seniors to offer support
Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan agreed with Rayudu's points. While he revealed that it feels frustrating when a wicketkeeper runs up to a bowler, he says that any of the senior players could've walked up to Kamboj and supported him during the six-hitting fest.
"I think that's a really good point. Sometimes it's almost frustrating when the keeper runs up to you because it looks bad. You know what I mean? It almost feels worse. But then, you're right. You need a senior leader at mid-on or mid-off... Like the guys around the world who do it so well, like Chris Jordan and the [Kieron] Pollards and those guys," the former Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer said.
CSK miss Overton
CSK were missing one of the senior pacers who could’ve walked up to Kamboj and offered a helping hand. The absence of their injured English recruit Jamie Overton was clearly visible. In the post-match presentation, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey admitted that the team missed Overton’s services.
Kamboj’s off day out enters record books
Kamboj went for 63 runs in 2.4 overs, the second-most expensive spell in CSK’s IPL history. He became the first bowler in IPL history to get hit for four consecutive sixes twice in an innings. Despite the blip spell, he is third on the list of leading wicket-takers in IPL 2026. He has 19 scalps from 12 games.
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