Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad shared his excitement following his team's remarkable victory over the Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium this Sunday. Gaikwad noted his satisfaction with the squad's ability to successfully hunt down a challenging target of 204 in what turned out to be a thrilling, high-scoring encounter. The win was a significant achievement for the franchise, as it proved their ability to maintain composure and scoring depth under pressure.
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CSK edge LSG by five wickets
The chase was headlined by a historic performance from Urvil Patel, whose record-breaking 13-ball half-century provided the necessary momentum to keep the scoreboard ticking. This victory marked a notable milestone for Chennai, representing their first successful pursuit of a target exceeding 180 since 2019. By completing the chase with four balls to spare, the five-wicket win propelled the Super Kings to the fifth spot on the points table, keeping them well within contention as the tournament progresses.
“Yes (got too close), but at the end, chasing 200, when you start the innings, it will always go to the 18th or the 19th or the 20th over. We started really well in the Power-play, but it was a bit tacky for a new batter to just go in and play the shots. But it's important that we get the job done. It's been a while since we chased 200, so good to chase it,” Gaikwad said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Sanju Samson's message did the trick for CSK
In addition to the batting heroics, Gaikwad offered high praise for his bowling unit for their resilience under immense pressure. After the Lucknow Super Giants enjoyed a dominant start, spearheaded by a blistering 85-run knock from Josh Inglis—the Chennai bowlers managed to regain control of the contest. This defensive effort was led by Jamie Overton, whose crucial three-wicket haul was instrumental in slowing the opposition's scoring rate and preventing a much larger total.
The skipper also highlighted a turning point during the first strategic time-out, revealing that a significant message from Sanju Samson played a key role in motivating the squad. This intervention helped galvanize the players at a critical juncture, providing the focus needed to stay competitive after the early onslaught. By tightening their execution following that huddle, the team was able to shift the momentum in their favor and set the stage for their successful record-breaking chase.
“But after the first time‑out, Sanju just came in, and he said, if we have it in us, we have to make a comeback here and try and restrict them as low as possible. So whatever around 220, it was still fine. So I think that just pumped us, everyone. And after that, it was just about getting those wickets, slowly getting into the game,” Gaikwad added.
“So I think everyone was eager to make a comeback after the first time‑out, and I feel that's the commitment or that determination really changed the course of the game. It was just about getting your bowlers right, how you can attack from one end, how you can be defensive from one end. And we thought they were very much ahead, 15, 20, or 30 runs ahead after powerplay. So we thought, let's get our best bowlers for the next three or four overs and see how it goes after that. And I think that six to ten overs, Noor and Jamie bowled really well. They just pulled it back really well,” he continued.
While celebrating his team's victory, Gaikwad was quick to offer high praise to Josh Inglis for his explosive 85-run innings. The CSK captain admitted that the bowlers often felt helpless against the quality of Inglis’s strokeplay, noting that the batsman played several incredible shots for which they simply had no answer. Gaikwad emphasized that Inglis’s knock was so unpredictable that it was nearly impossible to plan for or set a defensive field against, concluding with a sincere "hats off" to the opposition opener. Shifting his focus to the future, Gaikwad highlighted the necessity of a solid recovery period as the team prepares to travel to Lucknow for the reverse fixture on May 15. He acknowledged the physical toll of the current season, pointing out that several players are still adapting to the intense heat and high humidity common in this part of the country. Given that many squad members are playing at these venues for the first time, he stressed that a break is essential to ensure everyone is physically ready to handle another full 20 overs in such demanding conditions.
“So we needed that break, and whatever break we have, we are going to take it in. But we are gonna be making sure that we are ticking the boxes in whatever time we have in the practice sessions, and making sure that we improve whatever we want to in every department possible. We worked on quite a few areas this break, and I think it came off really well. Still three games to go, but it is just about keeping it simple, keeping it simple as long as possible. I know it's easy to say at times when you're under pressure or under the pump, but that's our mantra, and we are going to stick to it,” he concluded.